Complete nucleotide sequence of staphylococcus aureus ribosomal protein gene, S16 and methods for the indentification of antibacterial substances

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an isolated  S. aureus  ribosomal polypeptide S16, and the isolated polynucleotide molecules that encode them, vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotide molecules and also methods for the identification of agents that effect ribosomal assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following provisional application: Application Serial No. 60/219360 filed Jul. 19, 2000 under 35 U.S.C 119(e)(1).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention provides an isolated S. aureus ribosomal polypeptide S16, and the isolated polynucleotide molecules that encode them, as well as vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotide molecules. The invention also provides a method for the identification of agents that effect ribosomal assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The staphylococci, of which Staphylococcus aureus is the most important human pathogen, are hardy, gram-positive bacteria that colonize the skin of most humans. Staphylococcal strains that produce coagulase are designated S. aureus other clinically important coagulase-negative staphylococci are S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus. When the skin or mucous membrane barriers are disrupted, staphylococci can cause localized and superficial infections that are commonly harmless and self-limiting. However, when staphylococci invade the lymphatics and the blood, potentially serious complications may result, such as bacteremia, septic shock, and serous metastatic infections, including endocarditis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia and abscesses in virtually any organ. Certain strains of S. aureus produce toxins that cause skin rashes, food poisoning, or multisystem dysfunction (as in toxic shock syndrome). S. aureus and S. epidermidis together have become the most common cause of nonsocomial non-urinary tract infection in U.S. hosptitals. They are the most frequently isolated pathogens in both primary and secondary bacteremias and in cutaneous and surgical wound infections. See generally Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13^(th) ed., Isselbacher et. al. eds. McGraw-Hill, New York (1994), particularly pages 611-617.

[0004] Transient colonization of the nose by S. aureus is seen in 70-90 percent of people, of which 20 to 30 percent carry the bacteria for relatively prolonged periods of time. Independent colonization of the perineal area occurs in 5-20 percent of people. Higher carriage rates of S. aureus have been documented in persons with atopic dermatitis, hospital employees, hospitalized patients, patients whose care requires frequent puncture of the skin, and intravenous drug abusers.

[0005] Infection by staphylococci usually results from a combination of bacterial virulence factors and a diminution in host defenses. Important microbial factors include the ability of the staphylococcus to survive under harsh conditions, its cell wall constituents, the production of enzymes and toxins that promote tissue invasion, its capacity to persist intracellularly in certain phagocytes, and its potential to acquire resistance to antimicrobials. Important host factors include an intact mucocutaneous barrier, and adequate number of functional neutrophils, and removal of foreign bodies or dead tissue.

[0006] Once the skin or mucosa have been breached, local bacterial multiplication is accompanied by inflammation, neutrophil accumulation, tissue necrosis, thrombosis and fibrin deposition at the site of infection. Later, fibroblasts create a relatively avascular wall about the area. When host mechanisms fail to contain the cutaneous or submucosal infection, staphylococci may enter the lymphatics and the bloodstream. Common sites of metastatic spread include the lungs, kidneys, cardiac valves, myocardium, liver, spleen, bone and brain.

[0007] Antimicrobial resistance by staphylococci favors their peristence in the hospital environment. Over 90 percent of both hospital and community strains of S. aureus causing infection are resistant to penicillin. This resistance is due to the production of β lactamase enzymes. The genes for these enzymes are usually carried by plasmids. Infections due to organisms with such acquired resistance can sometimes be treated with β lactamase resistant penicillin derivatives. However the true penicillinase-resistant S. aureus organisms, called methicillin resistant S. aureus (MILSA), are resistant to all the βlactam antibiotics and the cephalosporins. MRSA resistance is chromosomally mediated and involves production of an altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2a or PBP 2′) with a low binding for β lactams. MRSA frequently also have acquired plasmids mediating resistance to erythromycin, tetraccyline, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and aminoglyucosides. MRSA have become increasingly common worldwide, particularly in tertiary-care referral hospitals. In the United States, approximately 32 percent of hospital isolates of S. aureus are methicillin resistant. Methicillin resistant staphylococci are a serious clinical and economic problem, since treatment of these infections often requires vancomycin, an antibiotic that is more difficult to administer and more expensive than the penicillins. Quinolone antimicrobial agents have been used to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. Unfortunately, resistance to these antibiotics has also developed rapidly. Sixty to 70% of methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates are also quinolone resistant.

[0008] A pressing need exists for new chemical entities that are effective in the treatment of staphylococcal infections. One fruitful area of research has been in the area of agents which inhibit protein synthesis. A large number of antibacterial agents, including many in current clinical use, inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by interfering with essential functions of the ribosome. When ribosomal function is perturbed, protein synthesis may cease entirely or, alternatively, it may be sufficiently slowed so as to stop normal cell growth and metabolism. Differences between the prokaryotic 70S ribosomes (composed of 50S and 30S subunits) and the eukaryotic 80S ribosome (composed of 60S and 40S subunits) underlie the basis for the selective toxicity of many antimicrobial agents of this class. However, a limited subset of this class of antimicrobial agents exhibits some cross-reactivity with the 70S ribosomes of eukaryotic mitochondria. This cross-reactivity probably accounts for the host cells cytotoxicity effects observed with some agents and has limited their use as clinical antimicrobial agents. Other agents (e.g., tetracycline), which affect the function of eukaryotic 80S ribosomes in vitro, are still used clinically to treat bacterial infections as the concentrations employed during antimicrobial therapy are not sufficient to elicit host cell toxicity side-effects.

[0009] Moreover, protein biosynthesis inhibitors can be divided into a number of different classes based on differences in their mechanisms of action. The aminoglycoside agents (e.g., streptomycin) bind irreversibly to the 30S subunit of the ribosome, thereby slowing protein synthesis and causing mis-translation (i.e., mis-reading) of the mRNA. The resulting errors in the fidelity of protein synthesis are bacteriocidal, and the selective toxicity of this family of agents is increased by the fact that bacteria actively transport them into the cell. The tetracycline family of agents (e.g., doxycycline) also binds to the 30S ribosome subunit, but does so reversibly. Such agents are bacteriostatic and act by interfering with the elongation phase of protein synthesis by inhibiting the transfer of the amino acid moieties of the aminoacyl-tRNA substrates into the growing polypeptide chain. However, inhibition mediated by the tetracyclines is readily reversible, with protein synthesis resuming once intracellular levels of the agent's decline. Chloramphenicol and the macrolide family of agents (e.g., erythromycin), in contrast, act on the function/activity of the 50S subunit of the ribosome. These agents are bacteriostatic in nature, and their effects are reversible. It has also been suggested that both chloramphenicol and the macrolides may have a second mode of action involved in ribosomal assembly. Champney and Burdine (1995). Finally, puromycin acts as a competitive inhibitor of the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA's to the so-called aminoacyl site (i.e., A-site) of the ribosome and acts as a chain-terminator of the elongation phase as a result of its incorporation into the growing peptide chain.

[0010] S16 is encoded by the rpsP gene in E. coli. Byström et al. 1983. It has been shown that S16 is required for efficient assembly of 30S ribosomal subunits but does not play a role in the functional activities of the assembled 30S subunit Held and Nomura (1975). Recently it has been shown that S16 is essential in E. coli. Persson et al. (1995). Essential genes in bacteria are attractive agents for antimicrobial agents.

[0011] This document discloses important new methods of identifying antibacterial substances related to the bacterial ribosomal assembly process, and to the Staphylococoal ribosomal protein S16 and it for the first time discloses the full nucleotide and amino acid sequence of Staphylococcus aureus S16 ribosomal polypeptide

Information Disclosure

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,669

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,924

[0015] WO 97/09433, Cell-Cycle Checkpoint Genes

[0016] Non Patent Documents

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE LISTINGS

[0048] SEQ ID NO:1 Complete coding sequence of S16 ribosomal polypeptide

[0049] SEQ ID NO:2 Predicted polypeptide sequence of S16 ribosomal polypeptide

[0050] SEQ ID NO:3 Sequencing Primer

[0051] SEQ ID NO:4 Sequencing Primer

[0052] SEQ ID NO:5 Sequencing Primer

[0053] SEQ ID NO:6 Sequencing Primer

[0054] SEQ ID NO:7 Sequencing Primer

[0055] SEQ ID NO:8 PCR Primer

[0056] SEQ ID NO:9 PCR Primer

[0057] SEQ ID NO:10 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S4 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0058] SEQ ID NO:11 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S4 ribosomal protein

[0059] SEQ ID NO:12 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S7 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0060] SEQ ID NO:13 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S7 ribosomal protein

[0061] SEQ ID NO:14 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S8 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0062] SEQ ID NO:15 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S8 ribosomal protein

[0063] SEQ ID NO:16 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S15 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0064] SEQ ID NO:17 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S15 ribosomal protein

[0065] SEQ ID NO:18 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S17 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0066] SEQ ID NO:19 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S17 ribosomal protein

[0067] SEQ ID NO:20 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus 16S ribosomal RNA gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0068] SEQ ID NO:21 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S1 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0069] SEQ ID NO:22 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S1 ribosomal protein gene

[0070] SEQ ID NO:23 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S2 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0071] SEQ ID NO:24 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S2 ribosomal protein

[0072] SEQ ID NO:25 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S3 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0073] SEQ ID NO:26 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S3 ribosomal protein

[0074] SEQ ID NO:27 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S5 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0075] SEQ ID NO:28 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S5 ribosomal protein

[0076] SEQ ID NO:29 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S6 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0077] SEQ ID NO:30 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S6 ribosomal protein

[0078] SEQ ID NO:31 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S9 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0079] SEQ ID NO:32 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S9 ribosomal protein

[0080] SEQ ID NO:33 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S10 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0081] SEQ ID NO:34 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S10 ribosomal protein

[0082] SEQ ID NO:35 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S11 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0083] SEQ ID NO:36 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S11 ribosomal protein

[0084] SEQ ID NO:37 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S12 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0085] SEQ ID NO:38 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S12 ribosomal protein

[0086] SEQ ID NO:39 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S13 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0087] SEQ ID NO:40 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S13 ribosomal protein

[0088] SEQ ID NO:41 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S14 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0089] SEQ ID NO:42 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S14 ribosomal protein

[0090] SEQ ID NO:43 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S16 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0091] SEQ ID NO:44 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S16 ribosomal protein

[0092] SEQ ID NO:45 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S18 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0093] SEQ ID NO:46 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S18 ribosomal protein

[0094] SEQ ID NO:47 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S19 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0095] SEQ ID NO:48 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S19 ribosomal protein

[0096] SEQ ID NO:49 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S20 ribosomal polypeptide gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0097] SEQ ID NO:50 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S20 ribosomal protein

[0098] SEQ ID NO:51 DNA sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S21 ribosomal protein gene (coding and flanking sequences)

[0099] SEQ ID NO:52 Polypeptide sequence for Staphylococcus aureus S21 ribosomal protein

[0100] SEQ ID NO:53 Exemplary S4 Forward PCR Primer

[0101] SEQ ID NO:54 Exemplary S4 Reverse PCR Primer

[0102] SEQ ID NO:55 Exemplary S18 Forward PCR Primer

[0103] SEQ ID NO:56 Exemplary S18 Reverse PCR Primer

[0104] SEQ ID NO:57 Exemplary S6 Forward PCR Primer

[0105] SEQ ID NO:58 Exemplary S6 Reverse PCR Primer

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0106]FIG. 1-DNA Coding Region and Amino Acid Sequence of the S16 ribosomal polypeptide

[0107]FIG. 2 Graphic illustration of a simplified ribosomal assembly map incorporating direct binding S proteins (S4, S8, S7, S17, and S20) as well as S16. Arrows between proteins indicate the effect of a protein on another whose binding it enhances. Thick arrows indicate a principal contribution. Thin arrows indicate lesser contribution. Based on Noller and Nomura (1987)

[0108]FIG. 3 Graphic illustration of a ribosomal assembly map incorporating direct binding S proteins (S4, S8, S7, S17, and S20) as well as some proteins which integrate themselves into ribosomes by reliance on protein-protein interactions (non-direct binding proteins) (S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19). Arrows between proteins indicate the effect of a protein on another whose binding it enhances. Thick arrows indicate a principal contribution. Thin arrows indicate lesser contribution. Noller and Nomura (1987)

[0109]FIG. 4 Graphical illustration of a ribosomal assembly assay incorporating direct binding S proteins (S4, S8, S7, S17, and S20) as well as proteins which integrate themselves into ribosomes by reliance on protein-protein interactions “non direct binding proteins”(S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0110] The present invention provides an isolated S aureus S16 ribosomal polypeptide, and the isolated polynucleotide molecules that encode them, as well as vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotide molecules. The DNA sequences provided herein may be used in the discovery and development of antibacterial compounds. The encoded polypeptide, upon expression, can be used as a target for the screening of antibacterial drugs. High-throughput assays for identifying inhibitors of ribosomal assembly are provided. Solid phase high throughput assays are provided, as are related assay compositions, integrated systems for assay screening and other features that will be evident upon review.

[0111] In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. The DNA and predicted amino acid sequence of Staphylococcus aureus S16 ribosomal polypeptide is displayed below: ATGGCAGTTAAAATTCGTTTAACACGTTTAGGTTCAAAAAGAAATCCATTCTATCGTATC⁶⁰ M  A  V  K  I  R  L  T  R  L  G  S  K  R  N  P  F  Y  R  I GTAGTAGCAGATGCTCGTTCTCCACGTGACGGACGTATCATCGAACAAATCGGTACTTAT¹²⁰ V  V  A  D  A  R  S  P  R  D  G  R  I  I    E  Q  I  G  T  Y AACCCAACGAGCGCTAATGCTCCAGAAATTAAAGTTGACGAAGCGTTAGCTTTAAAATGG¹⁸⁰ N  P  T  S  A  N  A  P  E  I  K  V  D  E  A  L  A  L  K  W TTAAATGATGGTGCGAAACCAACTGATACAGTTCACAATATCTTATCAAAAGAAGGTATT²⁴⁰ L  N  D  G  A  K  P    T  D  T  V  H  N  I  L  S  K  E  G  I ATGAAAAAATTTGACGAACAAAAGAAAGCTAAGTAA²⁷⁶ M   K  K  F  D  E  Q  K  K  A  K  *

[0112] Although SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2 provide particular S. aureus sequences, the invention is intended to include within its scope other S. aureus allelic variants. Allelic variants are understood to mean naturally-occurring base changes in the species population which may or may not result in an amino acid change of the DNA sequences herein

[0113] The present invention also includes include variants of the aforementioned polypetide, that is polypeptides that vary from the referents by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby a residue is substituted by another with like characteristics.

[0114] The nucleic acids of the invention include those nucleic acids coding for the same amino acids in the S16 ribosomal polypeptide due to the degeneracy of the genetic code

[0115] In another embodiment, the invention provides isolated polynucleotides (e.g. RNA and DNA, both naturally occurring and synthetically derived, both single and double stranded) that comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of the polypeptides of the invention. Such polynucleotides are useful for recombinantly expressing the enzyme and also for detecting expression of the polypeptides in cells (e.g. using Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization assays). Specifically excluded from the definition of polynucleotides of the invention is the entire isolated chromosome of the native host cells. A preferred polynucleotide of the invention set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 corresponds to the naturally occurring S16 ribosomal polypeptide encoding nucleic acid sequence. It will be appreciated that numerous other sequences exist that also encode S16 ribosomal polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 due to the well known degeneracy of the universal genetic code. In another preferred embodiment the invention is directed to all isolated degenerate polynucleotides encoding the S16 ribosomal polypeptide.

[0116] In another embodiment the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence having least 70%, 80, 90%, 95% identity with SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0117] In a related embodiment the invention provides vectors comprising a polynucleotide of the invention. Such vectors are useful, e.g. for amplifying the polynucleotides in host cells to create useful quantities thereof. In preferred embodiments, the vector is an expression vector wherein the polynucleotide of the invention is operatively linked to a polynucleotide comprising an expression control sequence. Such vectors are useful for recombinant production of polypeptides of the invention.

[0118] In another related embodiment, the invention provides host cells that are transformed with polynucleotides or vectors of the invention. As stated above, such host cells are useful for amplifying the polynucleotides and also for expressing the S16 ribosomal polypeptide or a fragment thereof encoded by the polynucleotide.

[0119] In still another related embodiment, the invention provides a method for producing the S16 ribosomal polypeptide (or a fragment thereof) comprising the steps of growing a host cell of the invention in a nutrient medium and isolating the S16 ribosomal polypeptide from the cells.

[0120] In still another related embodiment the invention provides a method for testing for inhibitors of ribosomal assembly comprising the steps of contacting at least one direct binding ribosomal polypeptide selected from the group consisting of S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 with 16S ribosomal RNA to form a polyribonucleotide protein complex and; contacting said polyribonucleotide protein complex with at least one non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide selected from the group consisting of S1, S2,S3, S5, S6, S9, S10,S11,S12,S13, S14,S16, S18,S19, and S21. in the presence and absence of a test agent; and then determining the amount of at least one non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide bound to the RNA in the presence and the absence of a test agent and then comparing the amount of least one non direct binding ribosomal polypeptide bound under both conditions.

[0121] A decrease in the amount of protein determined in the presence of test agent compared to that determined in the absence of the test agent indicates that said agent is an inhibitor of ribosomal assembly

[0122] In still another related embodiment the invention provides an isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 70%, 80, 90%, 95% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

[0123] In addition to the foregoing, the invention includes as an additional aspect, all embodiments of the invention narrower in scope in any way than the variations specifically mentioned above. Although the applicant(s) invented the full scope of the claims appended hereto, the claims appended are not intended to encompass within their scope the prior art work of others. Therefore, in the event that statutory prior art within the scope of a claim is brought to the attention of the applicants by a Patent Office or other entity or individual, the applicant(s) reserve the right to exercise amendment rights under applicable patent laws to redefine the subject matter of such a claim to specifically exclude such statutory prior art or obvious variations of statutory prior art from the scope of such a claim. Variations of the invention defined by such amended claims also are intended as aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0124] The foregoing is provided to further facilitate understanding of the applicant's invention but is not intended to limit the scope of applicant's invention.

[0125] Definitions

[0126] As used hereinafter “Isolated” means altered by the hand of man from the natural state. If an “isolated” composition or substance occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living animal is not “isolated,” but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is “isolated”, as the term is employed herein.

[0127] As used hereinafter “Polynucleotide” generally refers to any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. “Polynucleotides” include, without limitation, single- and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, single- and double-stranded RNA, and RNA that is mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically, double-stranded or a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions. In addition, “polynucleotide” refers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. The term “polynucleotide” also includes DNAs or RNAs containing one or more modified bases and DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons. “Modified” bases include, for example, tritylated bases and unusual bases such as inosine. A variety of modifications may be made to DNA and RNA; thus, “polynucleotide” embraces chemically, enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of polynucleotides as typically found in nature, aswell as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses and cells. “Polynucleotide” also embraces relatively short polynucleotides, often referred to as oligonucleotides.

[0128] As used hereinafter “Polypeptide” refers to any peptide or protein comprising two or more amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds, i.e., peptide isosteres. “Polypeptide” refers to both short chains, commonly referred to as peptides, oligopeptides or oligomers, and to longer chains, generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides may contain amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino acids. “Polypeptides” include amino acid sequences modified either by natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques which are well known in the art. Such modifications are well described in basic texts and in more detailed monographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature. Modifications may occur anywhere in a polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains and the amino or carboxyl termini. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification may be present to the same or varying degrees at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a given polypeptide may contain many types of modifications. Polypeptides may be branched as a result of ubiquitination, and they may be cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched cyclic polypeptides may result from post-translation natural processes or may be made by synthetic methods. Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination (see, for instance, Proteins-Structure and Molecular Properties, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 1993; Wold, F., Post-translational Protein Modifications: Perspectives and Prospects, pgs. 1-12 in Postranslational Covalent Modification of Proteins, B. C. Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1983; Seifter et al., “Analysis for protein modifications and nonprotein cofactors”, Meth Enzymol (1990) 182:626-646 and Rattan et al., “Protein Synthesis: Post-translational Modifications and Aging”, Ann NY Acad Sci (1992) 663:4842).

[0129] As used hereinafter “Variant” refers to a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide, but retains essential properties. A typical variant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide. Changes in the nucleotide sequence of the variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide. Nucleotide changes may result in amino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical variant of a polypeptide differs in amino acid sequence from another, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited so that the sequences of the reference polypeptide and the variant are closely similar overall and, in many regions, identical. A variant and reference polypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. A variant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide may be a naturally occurring such as an allelic variant, or it may be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of polynucleotides and polypeptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques or by direct synthesis. As used hereinafter “Identity” is a measure of the identity of nucleotide sequences or amino acid sequences. In general, the sequences are aligned so that the highest order match is obtained. “Identity” per se has an art-recognized meaning and can be calculated using published techniques (see, e.g.: Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993; Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, N.J., 1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., Academic Press, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991). While there exist a number of methods to measure identity between two polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences, the term “identity” is well known to skilled artisans (Carillo, H., and Lipton, D., SIAM J Applied Math (1988) 48:1073). Methods commonly employed to determine identity or similarity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in Guide to Huge Computers, Martin J. Bishop, ed., Academic Press, San Diego, 1994, and Carillo, H., and Lipton, D., SIAM J Applied Math (1988) 48:1073. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in computer programs. Preferred computer program methods to determine identity and similarity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research (1984) 12(1):387), BLASTP, BLASTN, and FASTA (Atschul, S. F. et al., J Molec Biol (1990) 215:403). The well known Smith Waterman algorithm may be used to determine identity. The Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison, Wis.) is one such program which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482-489 (1981)).

[0130] By way of example, a polynucleotide sequence of the present invention may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, that is be 100% identical, or it may include up to a certain integer number of nucleotide alterations as compared to the reference sequence. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleotide deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the 5′ or 3′ terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of nucleotide alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1 by the numerical percent of the respective percent identity(divided by 100) and subtracting that product from said total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1, or:

n _(n) ≦x _(n)−(x _(n) ·y)

[0131] wherein n_(n) is the number of nucleotide alterations, x_(n) is the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1, and y is 0.50 for 50%, 0.60 for 60%, 0.70 for 70%, 0.80 for 80%, 0.85 for 85%, 0.90 for 90%, 0.95 for 95%, 0.97 for 97% or 1.00 for 100%, and wherein any non-integer product of x_(n) and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_(n). Alterations of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 may create nonsense, missense or frameshift mutations in this coding sequence and thereby alter the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide following such alterations.

[0132] Similarly, a polypeptide sequence of the present invention may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, that is be 100% identical, or it may include up to a certain integer number of amino acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence such that the % identity is less than 100%. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one amino acid deletion, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the amino- or carboxy-terminal positions of the reference polypeptide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the amino acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of amino acid alterations for a given % identity is determined by multiplying the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2 by the numerical percent of the respective percent identity(divided by 100) and then subtracting that product from said total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2, or:

n _(a) ≦x _(a)−(x _(a) ·y)

[0133] wherein n_(a) is the number of amino acid alterations, x_(a) is the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2, and y is, for instance 0.70 for 70%, 0.80 for 80%, 0.85 for 85% etc., and wherein any non-integer product of x_(a) and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_(a). Identity has been similarly defined in U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,924, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0134] The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides (e.g., DNA sequences and RNA transcripts, both sense and complementary antisense strands, both single and double stranded) encoding a Staphylococcus aureus ribosomal protein S16. The nucleic acids of the invention include those nucleic acids coding for the same amino acids in the S16 ribosomal polypeptide due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. DNA polynucleotides of the invention include genomic DNA and DNA that has been synthesized in whole or in part. “Synthesized” as used herein and understood in the art, refers to polynucleotides produced by purely chemical as opposed to enzymatic methods. “Wholly” synthesized DNA sequences are therefore produced entirely by chemical means, and “partially” synthesized DNAs embrace those wherein only portions of the resulting DNA were produced by chemical means. Genomic DNA of the invention comprises the protein-coding region for a polypeptide of the invention and is also intended to include allelic variants. Allelic variants. Allelic variants are understood to mean naturally-occurring base changes in the species population which may or may not result in an amino acid change of the DNA sequences herein.

[0135] “16S ribosomal RNA” is understood to mean an isolated small subunit RNA of any prokaryote whether isolated from ribosomes, made synthetically or prepared by transcription, “16S ribosomal RNA” can mean either the full length sequence or a fragment thereof.

[0136] As used herein, the term “contacting” means bringing together, either directly or indirectly, a compound into physical proximity to a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention. Additionally “contacting” may mean bringing a polypeptide of the invention into physical proximity with another polypeptide or polynucleotide (either another polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention or a polypeptide or polynucleotide not so claimed) or bringing a polynucleotide of the invention into physical proximity with a polypeptide or polynucleotide (either a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention or a polypeptide or polynucleotide not so claimed).

[0137] As used herein, the term “polyribonucleotide protein complex” refers to a covalent or non-covalently associated molecular entity containing 16S ribosomal RNA and at least one small subunit ribosomal protein

[0138] “Small subunit ribosomal protein” as used herein refers to ribosomal proteins present in the small (30S) ribosomal subunit of the ribosome of derived from any prokaryotic species. Small subunit ribosomal proteins include: S1, S2 S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15,S16, S17, S18, S19, S20, and S21.

[0139] “Direct binding ribosomal polypeptide” or “direct binding S-protein” or “direct binding ribosomal protein” as used herein refers to a polypeptide derived from any prokaryotic species selected from the group consisting of S4, S7, S8, S17, S15 and S20.

[0140] “Non-Direct binding ribosomal polypeptide” or “non-direct binding S-protein” or “non-direct binding ribosomal protein” as used herein refers to a polypeptide derived from any prokaryotic species selected from the group consisting of S1, S2 S3, S5, S6, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S16, S18, S19, and S21. These proteins are also referred to as “secondary binding proteins”.

[0141] “Antibodies” as used herein includes monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, chimeric, single chain, simianized antibodies and humanized antibodies, as well as Fab fragments, including the products of an Fab immunolglobulin expression library. The S16 ribosomal polypeptides of the invention or variants thereof, or cell expressing them can be used as an immunogen to produce antibodies immunospecific for such polypeptides.

[0142] Nucleic Acids of the Invention

[0143] A preferred DNA sequence of the invention encoding the Staphylococcus aureus S16 ribosomal polypeptide is set out in SEQ ID NO:1. The worker of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the preferred DNA of the invention comprises a double stranded molecule, for example the molecule having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 along with the complementary molecule (the “non-coding strand” or “complement”) having a sequence deducible from the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 according to Watson-Crick base pairing rules for DNA. Also preferred are other polynucleotides encoding the S16 ribosomal polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, which differ in sequence from the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1 by virtue of the well-known degeneracy of the universal genetic code. The determination of the nucleotide sequence is described in the following example.

EXAMPLE 1 Procedure for Obtaining Sequence Information of the S16 Gene Directly from the 2.8 Mb S. aureus Genome.

[0144] The S. aureus S16 gene was sequenced using an ABI377 fluorescence sequencer (Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) and the ABI BigDye™ Terminator Cycle Sequencing Ready Reaction Kit with AmpliTaq FS DNA polymerase (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Each cycle sequencing reaction contained about 4 g of purified S. aureus DNA. Cycle-sequencing was performed using an initial denaturation at 98° C. for 1 min, followed by 100 cycles: 98° C. for 30 sec, annealing at 50° C. for 30 sec, and extension at 60° C. for 4 min. Temperature cycles and times were controlled by a Perkin-Elmer 9700 thermocycler. Extension products were purified using Centriflex™ gel filtration cartridges (Edge BioSystems, Gaithersburg, Md.). Each reaction product was loaded by pipette onto the column, which was then centrifuged in a swinging bucket centrifuge (Sorvall model RT6000B table top centrifuge) at 750×g for 1.5 min at room temperature. Column-purified samples were dried under vacuum for about 40 min and then dissolved in 1.5 μl of a DNA loading solution (83% deionized formamide, 8.3 mM EDTA, and 1.6 mg/ml Blue Dextran). The samples were then heated to 90° C. for three min and the complete sample was loaded into the gel sample well of the ABI377 sequencer. Sequence chromatogram data files from the ABI377 were analyzed with the computer program Sequencher (Gene Codes, Ann Arbor, Mich.), for assembly of sequence fragments and correction of ambiguous base calls. Generally sequence reads of 600 bp were obtained. Sequence base call ambiguities were removed by obtaining the complete sequence of the S16 gene on both DNA strands.

[0145] Sequencing of S. aureus S16 gene.

[0146] We located in the HGS S. aureus database a 175 bp GST (Human Genome Sciences ID #btecc45r) which encodes about 16 amino acids of the S16 polypeptide. The DNA sequence corresponding to this coding region was used to design forward (SEQ ID NO:3, 5′-AACTGCCATTTATAAAATCTCC) and reverse (SEQ ID NO:4, 5′-TAAAGGAGATTTTATAAATGGCAG) primers. The primers were designed without the aid of the ABI profile, thus the quality of the HGS sequence data could not be assessed. New S. aureus sequence data was obtained only from the reverse primer (SEQ ID NO:4) which extended the sequence data upstream of the S16 gene. Using the sequence generated by primer SEQ ID NO:4 two reverse primers were designed, SEQ ID NO:5 (5′-TTATATTGGGGGAACGTGTGCGG) and SEQ ID NO:6 (5′AGTCTAATTTAGTAATCACATAG) to prime sequences starting about 150 and 100 bp 5′ of the start of the S16 gene, respectively). Both of these primers generated excellent ABI sequence profiles. The complete double-stranded sequence of this gene was obtained by using primer SEQ ID NO:7 (5′-TATTACTAACATGTGATATTCCC) which was designed from sequence data located about 50 bp downstream from the 3′-end of the S16 gene. A total of 1.3 kb of sequence data was obtained within and around the S16 gene and analysis of this sequence revealed the complete S16 gene that encodes the complete S16 polypeptide. The S. aureus S16 polypeptide contains 91 amino acid residues, and this sequence shares about 66% identity with the S16 polypeptide from B.subtilis:

[0147] The invention further embraces species, which are homologs of the Staphyloccocus aureus S16 ribosomal polypeptide encoding DNA. Species homologs, would encompass nucleotide sequences which share at least at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99% identity with Staphylococcus aureus polynucleotide of the invention

[0148] The polynucleotide sequence information provided by the invention makes possible large scale expression of the encoded polypeptide by techniques well known and routinely practiced in the art. Polynucleotides of the invention also permit identification and isolation of polynucleotides encoding related ribosomal proteins, such as allelic variants and species homologs, by well known techniques including Southern and/or Northern hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

[0149] The disclosure herein of a full length polynucleotide encoding an S16 ribosomal polypeptide makes readily available to the worker of ordinary skill in the art every possible fragment of the full length polynucleotide. The invention therefore provides fragments of the S16 ribosomal polypeptide encoding polynucleotides comprising at least 14-15, and preferably at least 18, 20, 25, 50, or 75 consecutive nucleotides of a polynucleotide encoding S16 ribosomal polypeptide. Preferably, fragment polynucleotides of the invention comprise sequences unique to the S16 ribosomal polypeptide encoding polynucleotide sequence and therefore hybridize under highly stringent or moderately stringent conditions only (i.e. “specifically”) to polynucleotides encoding S16 ribosomal polypeptide. Sequences unique to polynucleotides of the invention are recognizable through sequence comparison to other known polynucleotides, and can be identified through use of alignment programs routinely utilized in the art, e.g. those made available in public sequence databases. Such sequences are also recognizable from Southern hybridization analyses to determine the number of fragments of genomic DNA to which a polynucleotide will hybridize. Polynucleotides of the invention can be labelled in a manner that permits their detection , including radioactive, fluorescent, and enzymatic labelling.

[0150] Fragment polynucleotides are particularly useful as probes for detection of full length or other fragment S16 ribosomal polypeptide polynucleotides or for the expression of fragments of S16 ribosomal polypeptide. One or more fragment polynucleotides can be included in kits that are used to detect variations in a polynucleotide sequence encoding S16 ribosomal polypeptide.

[0151] The invention also embraces DNAs encoding S16 ribosomal polypeptide polypeptides which DNAs hybridize under moderately stringent or high stringency conditions to the non-coding strand, or complement, of the polynucleotide in SEQ ID NO:1

[0152] Exemplary highly stringent hybridization conditions are as follows: hybridization at 42° C. in a hybridization solution comprising 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 1M NaCl, 10% Dextran sulfate, and washing twice for 30 minutes at 60° C. in a wash solution comprising 0.1 X SSC and 1% SDS. It is understood in the art that conditions of equivalent stringency can be achieved through variation of temperature and buffer, or salt concentration as described Ausubel, et al. (Eds.), Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1994), pp.6.0.3 to 6.4.10. Modifications in hybridization conditions can be empirically determined or precisely calculated based on the length and the percentage of guanosine/cytosine (GC) base pairing of the probe. The hybridization conditions can be calculated as described in Sambrook, et al., (Eds.), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), pp. 9.47 to 9.51.

[0153] Host Cells and Vectors of the Invention

[0154] According to another aspect of the invention, host cells are provided, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, comprising a polynucleotide of the invention (or vector of the invention) in a manner which permits expression of the encoded S16 ribosomal polypeptide. Polynucleotides of the invention may be introduced into the host cell as part of a circular plasmid, or as linear DNA comprising an isolated protein coding region or a viral vector. Methods for introducing DNA into the host cell well known and routinely practiced in the art include transformation, transfection, electroporation, nuclear injection, or fusion with carriers such as liposomes, micelles, ghost cells, and protoplasts. Expression systems of the invention include bacterial, yeast, fungal, plant, insect, invertebrate, and mammalian cells systems. Suitable host cells for expression of S16 ribosomal polypeptides include prokaryotes, yeast, and higher eukaryotic cells. Suitable prokaryotic hosts to be used for the expression of human Staphylococcus aureus Ribosomal Protein Gene, S16 include bacteria of the genera Escherichia, Bacillus, and Salmonella, as well as members of the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus.

[0155] The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention are preferably cloned into a vector designed for expression in prokaryotic cells, rather than into a vector designed for expression in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are preferred for expression of genes obtained from prokaryotes because prokaryotic cells are more economical sources of protein production and because prokaryotic hosts grow to higher density and are typically grown in media which is less expensive than that used for the growth of eukaryotic hosts.

[0156] In the event a eukaryotic host were used the possibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: insect cells, African green monkey kidney cells (COS cells), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cells), human 293 cells, and murine 3T3 fibroblasts.

[0157] Expression vectors for use in prokaryotic hosts generally comprise one or more phenotypic selectable marker genes. Such genes generally encode, e.g., a protein that confers antibiotic resistance or that supplies an auxotrophic requirement. A wide variety of such vectors are readily available from commercial sources. Examples include pSPORT vectors, pGEM vectors (Promega), pPROEX vectors (LTI, Bethesda, Md.), Bluescript vectors (Stratagene), and pQE vectors (Qiagen). A representative cloning and expression scheme is provided by the following example.

EXAMPLE 2 Isolation and Cloning of the S16 Coding Region

[0158] Two primers were designed for PCR. One contains the ATG of S16 ribosomal protein with a Cla site on the end. This forward primer is a 37mer and is designated SEQ ID NO:8 and has the sequence 5′ GTG TTA TCG ATA ATG CAG TTA AAA TTC GTT TAA CAC G. The downstream primer designated SEQ ID NO:9 is a 35mer and has the sequence 5′ GTG TTG GAT CCT TAC TTA GCT TTC TTT TGT TCG TC This sequence includes the stop codon of S16 ribosomal protein with a BamH1 site on the end. Staphylococcus aureus genomic DNA was used as a template. The buffer (N808-0006) and Amplitaq® (N8080-0101) were purchased from Perkin Elmer Cetus . The 10 mM dNTP mix was obtained from Gibco BRL (Gaithersburg, Md.). The reaction mix was 5 μl of buffer, 1 μl of dNTP mix, 1 ng of each primer, 1 ng of genomic DNA and 0.5 μl (2.5 units) of amplitaq in a final volume of 50 μl. The program for PCR was 94° C. for 10 minutes and then 40 cycles of 94° C. for 1 minute, 57° C. for 30 seconds, and 72° C. for one minute. The final extension phase was at 72° C. for 3 minutes and the reactions were allowed to stay at 4° C. until they were removed from the thermocycler.

[0159] Vector Construction and Expression

[0160] The PCR products were purified, digested with Cla1 and BamH1 and ligated to the expression vector pSR-Tac which contains Cla I and BamHI cloning sites. This vector contains a tac promoter, an AT rich synthetic ribosome binding site, two transcription terminators designated T1 and sib3 upstream of the tac promoter and downstream of the cloned gene, respectively, an ampicillin resistance gene derived from pBR322, and a ColE1 origin of replication. The Cla I restriction site is located immediately downstream of the ribosome binding site and the BamHI site is immediately upstream of the sib3 terminator. While this particular vector worked quite well it is expected that other vectors used in E.coli heterologous protein expression would be equally suitable.

[0161] After transformation into E. coli strain Top10 F'laci^(q), the colonies were screened by DNA mini prep and restriction digestion to find the desired constructs. The constructs were sequenced and transformed into E. coli strain K12s F'laci^(q) for expression studies.

[0162] Cells harboring the construct pSRTac-S16 were grown in 50 ml LB with ampicillin at 37° C. The cultures were induced with 10⁻³ M IPTG during the midlog phase of growth and allowed to express for 3 hours. Then the cells were collected, sonicated and examined using gel electrophoresis.

[0163] Half a milliliter of the sonicated expression cultures were centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was collected as the soluble fraction and the pellet (insoluble fraction) was suspended in 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0. These samples were electrophoresed on 20% acrylamide with DATD crosslinker. The S16 protein was expressed at moderate levels and observed to be in the soluble fraction.

[0164] Polypeptides of the Invention

[0165] Overexpression in eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts as described above facilitates the isolation of S16 polypeptides. The invention therefore includes isolated S16 polypeptides as set out in SEQ ID NO:2 and variants and conservative amino acid substitutions therein including labeled and tagged polypeptides.

[0166] The invention includes S16 polypeptides which are “labeled”. The term “labeled” is used herein to refer to the conjugating or covalent bonding of any suitable detectable group, including enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase, beta-glucuronidase, alkaline phosphatase, and beta-D-galactosidase), fluorescent labels (e.g., fluorescein, luciferase), and radiolabels (e.g., ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵I, ³H, ³²P, and ³⁵S) to the compound being labeled. Techniques for labeling various compounds, including proteins, peptides, and antibodies, are well known. See, e.g., Morrison, Methods in Enzymology 32b, 103 (1974); Syvanen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 284, 3762 (1973); Bolton and Hunter, Biochem. J. 133, 529 (1973). The termed labelled may also encompass a polypeptide which has covalently attached an amino acid tag as discussed below.

[0167] In addition, the S16 polypeptides of the invention may be indirectly labeled. This involves the covalent addition of a moiety to the polypeptide and subsequent coupling of the added moiety to a label or labeled compound which exhibits specific binding to the added moiety. Possibilities for indirect labeling include biotinylation of the peptide followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups. Another example would be incubating a radiolabeled antibody specific for a histidine tag with a S16 polypeptide comprising a polyhistidine tag. The net effect is to bind the radioactive antibody to the polypeptide because of the considerable affinity of the antibody for the tag.

[0168] The invention also embraces variants (or analogs) of the S16 protein. In one example, insertion variants are provided wherein one or more amino acid residues supplement a S16 amino acid sequence. Insertions may be located at either or both termini of the protein, or may be positioned within internal regions of the S16 protein amino acid sequence. Insertional variants with additional residues at either or both termini can include for example, fusion proteins and proteins including amino acid tags or labels. Insertion variants include S16 polypeptides wherein one or more amino acid residues are added to a S16 acid sequence, or to a biologically active fragment thereof.

[0169] Insertional variants therfore can also include fusion proteins wherein the amino and/or carboxy termini of S16 is fused to another polypeptide. Various tag polypeptides and their respective antibodies are well known in the art. Examples include poly-histidine (poly-his) or poly-histidine-glycine (poly-his-gly) tags; the influenza HA tag polypeptide and its antibody 12CA5 [Field et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8:2159-2165 (1988)]; the c-myc tag and the 8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9E10 antibodies thereto [Evan et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 5:3610-3616 (1985)]; and the Herpes Simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD) tag and its antibody [Paborsky et al., Protein Engineering, 3(6):547-553 (1990)]. Other tag polypeptides include the Flag-peptide [Hopp et al., BioTechnology, 6:1204-1210 (1988)]; the KT3 epitope peptide [Martin et al., Science, 255:192-194 (1992)]; an alpha -tubulin epitope peptide [Skinner et al., J. Biol. Chem., 266:15163-15166 (1991)]; and the T7 gene 10 protein peptide tag [Lutz-Freyermuth et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6393-6397(1990)]. In addition, the S16 polypeptide can be tagged with enzymatic proteins such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase.

[0170] In another aspect, the invention provides deletion variants wherein one or more amino acid residues in a S16 polypeptide are removed. Deletions can be effected at one or both termini of the S16 polypeptide, or with removal of one or more residues within the S16 amino acid sequence. Deletion variants, therefore, include all fragments of theS16 polypeptide.

[0171] The invention also embraces polypeptide fragments of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO:2 wherein the fragments maintain biological (e.g., ligand binding or RNA binding and/or other biological activity) Fragments comprising at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 are comprehended by the invention. Fragments of the invention having the desired biological properties can be prepared by any of the methods well known and routinely practiced in the art.

[0172] The present invention also includes include variants of the aforementioned polypeptide, that is polypeptides that vary from the referents by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby a residue is substituted by another with like characteristics. Variant polypeptides include those wherein conservative substitutions have been introduced by modification of polynucleotides encoding polypeptides of the invention. Amino acids can be classified according to physical properties and contribution to secondary and tertiary protein structure. A conservative substitution is recognized in the art as a substitution of one amino acid for another amino acid that has similar properties. Exemplary conservative substitutions are set out in Table A (from WO 97/09433, page 10, published Mar. 13, 1997 (PCT/GB96/02197, filed Sep. 6, 1996), immediately below. TABLE A Conservative Substitutions I SIDE CHAIN CHARACTERISTIC AMINO ACID Aliphatic Non-polar GAP ILV Polar - uncharged CSTM NQ Polar - charged DE KR Aromatic HFWY Other NQDE

[0173] Alternatively, conservative amino acids can be grouped as described in Lehninger, [Biochemistry, Second Edition; Worth Publishers, Inc. NY:NY (1975), pp.71-77] as set out in Table B, immediately below TABLE B Conservative Substitutions II SIDE CHAIN CHARACTERISTIC AMINO ACID Non-polar (hydrophobic) A. Aliphatic: ALIVP B. Aromatic: FW C. Sulfur-containing: M D. Borderline: G Uncharged-polar A. Hydroxyl: STY B. Amides: NQ C. Sulfhydryl: C D. Borderline: G Positively Charged (Basic): KRH Negatively Charged (Acidic): DE

[0174] As still an another alternative, exemplary conservative substitutions are set out in Table C, immediately below. TABLE C Conservative Substitutions III Original Residue Exemplary Substitution Ala (A) Val, Leu, Ile Arg (R) Lys, Gln, Asn Asn (N) Gln, His, Lys, Arg Asp (D) Glu Cys (C) Ser Gln (Q) Asn Glu (E) Asp His (H) Asn, Gln, Lys, Arg Ile (I) Leu, Val, Met, Ala, Phe, Leu (L) Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe Lys (K) Arg, Gln, Asn Met (M) Leu, Phe, Ile Phe (F) Leu, Val, Ile, Ala Pro (P) Gly Ser (S) Thr Thr (T) Ser Trp (W) Tyr Tyr (Y) Trp, Phe, Thr, Ser Val (V) Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Ala

[0175] Generally it is anticipated that the S16 polypeptide will be found primarily intracellularly, the intracellular material can be extracted from the host cell using any standard technique known to the skilled artisan. For example, the host cells can be lysed to release the contents of the periplasm/cytoplasm by French press, homogenization, and/or sonication followed by centrifugation. The S16 polypeptide is found primarily in the supernatant after centrifugation of the cell homogenate, and the S16 polypeptide can be isolated by way of non-limiting example by any of the methods below.

[0176] In those situations where it is preferable to partially or completely isolate the S16 polypeptide, purification can be accomplished using standard methods well known to the skilled artisan. Such methods include, without limitation, separation by electrophoresis followed by electroelution, various types of chromatography (immunoaffinity, molecular sieve, and/or ion exchange), and/or high pressure liquid chromatography. In some cases, it may be preferable to use more than one of these methods for complete purification.

[0177] Purification of S16 polypeptide can be accomplished using a variety of techniques. If the polypeptide has been synthesized such that it contains a tag such as Hexahistidine (S16/hexaHis) or other small peptide such as FLAG (Eastman Kodak Co., New Haven, Conn.) or myc (Invitrogen,Carlsbad, Calif.) at either its carboxyl or amino terminus, it may essentially be purified in a one-step process by passing the solution through an affinity column where the column matrix has a high affinity for the tag or for the polypeptide directly (i.e., a monoclonal antibody specifically recognizingS16). For example, polyhistidine binds with great affinity and specificity to nickel, thus an affinity column of nickel (such as the Qiagen Registered TM nickel columns) can be used for purification of S16/polyHis. (See for example, Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Section 10.11.8, John Wiley & Sons, New York [1993]).

[0178] Even if the S16 polypeptide is prepared without a label or tag to facilitate purification. The S16 of the invention may be purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. To accomplish this, antibodies specific for the S16 polypeptide must be prepared by means well known in the art. Antibodies generated against the S16 polypeptides of the invention can be obtained by administering the polypeptides or epitope-bearing fragments, analogues or cells to an animal, preferably a nonhuman, using routine protocols. For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique known in the art that provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. Examples include various techniques, such as those in Kohler, G. and Milstein, C., Nature 256: 495-497 (1975); Kozbor et al., Immunology Today 4: 72 (1983); Cole et al., pg. 77-96 in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc. (1985).

[0179] Where the S16 polypeptide is prepared without a tag attached, and no antibodies are available, other well known procedures for purification can be used. Such procedures include, without limitation, ion exchange chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography, HPLC, native gel electrophoresis in combination with gel elution, and preparative isoelectric focusing (“Isoprime” machine/technique, Hoefer Scientific). In some cases, two or more of these techniques may be combined to achieve increased purity. A representative purification scheme is detailed below.

EXAMPLE 3 Large Scale Purification of S16 Protein

[0180] S16-expressing E. coli cell paste from about a 6 liters of fermentation is resuspended in ˜70 mL Tris buffer pH 7.4 containing 1 mM MgCl₂ and 1 mM DTT. One Complete® EDTA-free protease inhibitor pellet (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.) is added to the suspended cells. The cells are lysed by passage three times through a French Press @ 10,000 PSI. A soluble fraction is prepared from the cellular lysate by ultracentrifugation @ 100,000×g for 60 minutes @ 4° C. The soluble fraction is injected onto a HiPrep SP_(XL) 16/10 cation exchange column which had been equilibrated in 50 mM Tris buffer pH 7.4, 1 mM MgCl₂, and 1 mM DTT. The column flow rate is 4 mL/min. The column is washed with buffer until the Abs₂₈₀ of the column eluate is less then 0.01. Material is eluted off of the HiPrep SP_(XL) column with a linear gradient of 0-700 mM NaCl in column buffer over 20 column volumes.

[0181] Fractions are collected and analyzed by SDS-PAGE using 4-12% Bis-Tris NuPage® gels (Novex, San Deigo, Calif.) employing a MES buffer system. S16-containing fractions are further analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray mass spectrometry (LC/MS-ESI) performed on a Finnigan LC/Q instrument. The results of the LC/MS-ESI analysis are used to calculate an average mass of the isolated S16. The predicted average mass of the intact S16 is calculated to be around 10,000

[0182] In addition to preparing and purifying S16 polypeptide using recombinant DNA techniques, the S16 polypeptides, fragments, and/or derivatives thereof may be prepared by chemical synthesis methods (such as solid phase peptide synthesis) using techniques known in the art such as those set forth by Merrifield et al., (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149 [1963]), Houghten et al. (Proc Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 82:5132 [1985]), and Stewart and Young (Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill. [1984]). Such polypeptides may be synthesized with or without a methionine on the amino terminus. Chemically synthesized S16 polypeptides or fragments may be oxidized using methods set forth in these references to form disulfide bridges. The S16 polypeptides or fragments are expected to have biological activity comparable to S16 polypeptides produced recombinantly or purified from natural sources, and thus may be used interchangeably with recombinant or natural S16 polypeptide.

[0183] Ribosomal Assembly Assays

[0184] 70S ribosome particles in E. coli consist of 31 core ribosomal “L” proteins and two rRNAs (5S and 23S) in the 50S subunit and 21 “S” proteins and a single 16S rRNA in the 30S subunit. These particles constitute the basic machinery for bacterial protein translation. It is postulated that the Staphylococcus aureus ribosome is assembled in fashion to ribosomes in E.coli. The present invention provides several methods to study the S.aureus 30S subunit assembly and methods to screen for inhibitors of the assembly process.

[0185] Assembly of the 30S ribosomal subunit is an ordered process both in vivo and in vitro. Nomura, M. and Held, W. A. (1974), Noller and Nomura (1987). It is now well known that the 21 proteins which comprise the the E. coli 30S subunit assemble onto the the 16S rRNA in an ordered fashion in vitro. Id. These proteins have been defined as primary or secondary binders, according to whether they bind to the 16S RNA independently of other proteins or not. Proteins that bind directly to 16S rRNA include S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20. Secondary binding proteins include S3, S5, S9, S10, S12,S14,S16and S19.

[0186] Producing and purifying the S.aureus ribosomal “S” proteins which are most critical for the formation of functional 30S subunits including those that bind directly to 16S rRNA (i.e., S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20) “direct binding S-proteins” and critical proteins that integrate themselves into the ribosome by reliance on protein-protein and/or protein-RNA interactions (S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19) provides myriad choices in designing methods for testing inhibitors of ribosomal assembly.

[0187] Simplified 30S Ribosomal Subunit Assembly Assay

[0188] It is recognized that the role of the S16 polypeptide in the assembly of complete ribosomal small subunits may, in part, be dependent on the interactions with the direct binding S-proteins which directly interact with the 16S ribosomal RNA.

[0189] It is likely that the incorporation of S16 into a complete 30S subunit is at least partially dependent on other secondary binding proteins include S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, or S19. However, examination of published binding maps show that a incubation of the direct binding S proteins with S16 in the presence and absence of test compounds and subsequent measurement of relative incorporation of S16 into the polyribonucleotide protein complex provides a fruitful avenue for identification of small subunit ribosomal assembly inhibitors.

[0190] By way of non-limiting example one can envision numerous ways in which the presence of unbound or bound S16 could be detected. The S16 might be radiolabeled in any of a number of means including but not limited to, labeling in vitro by chemical or enzymatic means or vivo by metabolically labeling cells expressing S16.

[0191] As discussed above commonly used radioactive isotopes used for the radiolabeling of peptides and proteins and nucleic acids include but are not limited to ³H, ¹⁴C, ³⁵S, ¹²⁵I and ³²P. In addition, of course, if the S16 polypeptide or is tagged with an amino acid tag, as described above, the tag and the covalently attached S16 protein can be detected by means well known in the art. In addition, the S16 polypeptide or a polynucleotide can be tagged with enzymatic proteins such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescent labels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475) which are capable of being monitored for change in fluorescence intensity, wavelength shift, or fluorescence polarization (FP) or fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET). Another method of labeling polypeptides and nucleic acids includes biotinylation of the peptide of the peptide or nucleic acid followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups or a solid support.

[0192] In another embodiment, all the direct binding S-proteins can be incubated with 16S RNA and the presence of bound or unbound S16 polypeptide determined. Indeed, the identity of all of the bound or unbound proteins can be determined. The identity of a bound or unbound S protein can be determined, for instance by a suitable mass spectrometry technique, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization combined with time-of-flight mass analysis (MALDI-TOF MS) or electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). See Jensen et al., 1977, Protein Analysis By Mass Spectrometry, In Creighton (ed.), Protein Structure, A Practical Approach (Oxford University Press), Oxford, pp. 29-57; Patterson & Aebersold, 1995,Electrophoresis 16: 1791-1814; Figeys et al., 1996, Analyt. Chem. 68: 1822-1828 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Preferably, a separation technique such as HPLC or capillary electrophoresis is directly or indirectly coupled to the mass spectrometer. See Ducret et al., 1996, Electrophoresis 17: 866-876; Gevaert et al., 1996, Electrophoresis 17: 918-924; Clauser et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 5072-5076 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

EXAMPLE 4

[0193] This assay is used to test for disruptions in interactions between the S16 polypeptide, the direct binding S proteins, and the 16S RNA.

[0194] Preparation of Starting Materials

[0195] Preparation of Direct Binding Ribosomal Proteins

[0196] The starting material proteins are preferably prepared by recombinant means and over-expression in a suitable host essentially as described in Examples 1, 2 and 3 for S16 with obvious modifications to reflect the differing sequences of the proteins involved. The nucleotide sequences of cDNA's encoding S. aureus direct binding ribosomal proteins S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 are presented in SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 49 respectively. Sequences encoding S4, S7, S8, S15, and S17 can be isolated by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Primers are selected such that entire coding region is isolated. The complete amino acid sequences of S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 polypeptides are presented in SEQ ID NOS:11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 50. Sequences encoding S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 can be isolated by means of probing a genomic Staphylococcus aureus library with probes designed from SEQ ID NOS: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 49 as well. The polymerase chain reaction would be a preferred method because it generally allows the isolation of a complete coding sequence in one experiment.

[0197] Methods for preparing and using probes and primers are described, for example, in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., vol. 1-3, ed. Sambrook et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, ed. Ausubel et al., Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1987 (with periodic updates); and Innis et al., PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press: San Diego, 1990.

[0198] Primers are selected to have low self- or cross-complementarity, particularly at the 3′ ends of the sequence. Long homopolymer tracts and high GC content are avoided to reduce spurious primer extension. Primers are typically about 20 to 30 residues in length, but this length can be modified as well known in the art, in view of the particular sequence to be amplified. Computer programs are available to aid in these aspects of the design. One widely used computer program for designing PCR primers is (OLIGO 4.0 by National Biosciences, Inc., 3650 Annapolis Lane, Plymouth, Mich.). Another is Primer (Version 0.5,(c) 1991, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Mass.).

[0199] Cloning of 16S Ribosomal RNA

[0200] The complete 16S-rRNA gene was identified in the HGS data base on contig 168268 by homology to the B. subtilis sequence. Five prime sequence of 5′-TTATGGAGAGTTTGATCCTGGC-3′ and the 3′ sequence of 5′-GCGGCTGGATCACCTCCTTTCT-3′ were used to amplify the entire 16S-rRNA gene from S. aureus (Oligo Etc; Wilsonville, Oreg.). The amplified gene was cloned into pT7Blue using Novagen's (Madison, Wis.) Perfectly Blunt Cloning Kit. DNA template was created by PCR using a primer that had the T7 promoter on the 5′ end sequence of the 16S-rRNA gene (5′-TAATACGACTCACTATAGTTTTATGGA-GAGTTTGATCCTGGC-3′). The length of the amplified 16S-rRNA fragment can be altered by the selection of the 3′ primer. ³H-UTP or ³⁵S-ATP are used to label the RNA if labeled RNA is desired. Resulting RNAs are characterized by electrophoresis on acrylamide-urea gels, and RNA concentrations are determined by UV spectroscopy using A₂₆₀ unit=40 ug/ml. The entire S16 ribosomal RNA gene sequence has been reported (Genbank Accession # X68417 also U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,669 Sequence # 160). The sequence of the gene is included in this document as SEQ ID NO:21

[0201] In this assay all six of the S-proteins that bind directly to 16S RNA are added together followed by S16 in the presence and absence of a test compound. Unbound S-proteins are then removed by size-separation or filtration. Automated LC/ESI ion-trap or MALDI-tof-MS is then used to determine if a particular S-protein is inhibited in its binding to 16S RNA. Mass spectrometry is an ideal detection tool since all of the S-protein average masses are known and unique. An example illustrates how specific inhibition of S16 protein binding to RNA is detected. The concept is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0202] RNA:protein assembly is assayed in 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂, 330 mM NaCl at 42° C. The procedure is based on the conditions of Culver and Noller (RNA, 1999, 5: 832-843) except that 0.01% Nikkol detergent is removed because it significantly complicates the LC/MS analysis. Primary ribosomal binding proteins S4, S7, S8, S15, S17, and S20 are dialyzed overnight against 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂, 1 M NaCl. In the reconstitution, 200 pmol in vitro transcribed 16S RNA is incubated at 42° C. for 15 minutes. Then, 800 pmol S7, S8, S15, S17, S4 and S20 each are added to the RNA. 400 pmol S16 is then added to the mixture The NaCl concentration is then adjusted to 330 mM by adding 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂. The mixture is then incubated at 42° C. for 20 more minutes. The protein:RNA complex is then separated from the free proteins by spinning in a YM-100 Microcon at 500 ×g for 20 minutes. The RNA is precipitated from the retentate by adding 2 volumes of acetic acid and incubating on ice for 45 minutes. Proteins from both the flow-through and retentate are analyzed by LC/ESI ion trap mass spectrometry. The proteins are first separated on a C4 reversed phase column (Vydac) using a gradient from 98% of 0.1% TFA, 2% of 90% acetonitrile/0. 1% TFA to 100% of 90% acetonitrile/0.1% TFA. The intact mass of each protein is observed by electrospray mass spectrometry as it eluted from the column. Relative amounts of each protein are accessed in the presence and absence of test compounds.

EXAMPLE 5 Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA)

[0203] As in the previous example all six of the S-proteins that bind directly to 16S RNA are added together followed by S16 ribosomal polypeptide in the presence and absence of a test compound. In this example the 16S ribosomal RNA is end labeled with biotin and the S16 ribosomal polypeptide is radioactively labeled.

[0204] Primary ribosomal binding proteins S4, S7, S8, S15, S17, and S20 are dialyzed overnight against 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂, 1 M NaCl. In the reconstitution, 200 pmol in vitro transcribed biotin end labeled 16S RNA is incubated at 42° C. for 15 minutes. Then, 800 pmol S7, S8, S15, S17, S4 and S20 each are added to the RNA. 400 pmol radioactively labeled S16 is then added to the mixture The NaCl concentration is then adjusted to 330 mM by adding 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂. Fifty μl strepavidin coated SPA beads (20 mg/ml) is added to the 50 μl of of the reaction mixture in a Dynatech Microlite plate and counted in a Topcount™ Microplate Scintillation Counter. To identify potential inhibitors of S16 incorporation into the polyribonucleotide protein complex, the assay is run in the presence and absence of potential inhibitors and the effect on binding is assessed.

[0205] Protein-protein Interaction Assembly Screen

[0206] The isolated S16 polypeptide of the invention also makes possible an assay through which one may detect all possible protein-protein disruptions in the 30S assembly process. This is important since published assembly maps are not based on the myriad of possible protein-protein interactions that may occur. In practice these maps are based on limited S-protein combinations that were tested in vitro. This assay makes use of the fact that the assembly of ribosomes in general and the 30S subunit in particular, is an ordered process and makes use of all 21 small subunit ribosomal proteins or a limited subset of those proteins. The S3 ribosomal protein is known to integrate itself last or very late in the ribosomal assembly process. Its efficient integration is known to be dependent upon the proper integration of the direct binding ribosomal proteins as well non-direct binding proteins. Proper partial assembly is monitored by measuring the incorporation of S3 ribosomal polypeptide into the partially or fully assembled ribosome. In the alternative, improper or disrupted assembly can be assayed by exclusion of S3 ribosomal polypeptide from the ribosome

[0207] The S3 ribosomal protein may be labeled as discussed hereinbefore for ease of detection. The 16S ribosomal RNA or a direct binding ribosomal peptide may immobilized or the entire assay may be performed with all components in solution phase. The starting materials for the assays are preferably prepared by recombinant means. The DNA sequences encoding all 21 30S subunit proteins are provided in the sequence listings as well as the amino acids sequences encoded by each. The invention provides ribosomal assembly assays utilizing all 21 small subunit ribosomal proteins as well as a select subset of proteins readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Sequences encoding each protein can be isolated by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Primers are selected as discussed previously. Primers are selected such that entire coding region is isolated. Methods for preparing and using probes and primers are discussed above.

[0208] Exemplary forward and reverse primers suitable for amplification of S4, S6, and S18 are described listed here by way of example. One skilled in the art would recognize that other primers may be equally suitable. S4 Forward 5′-TATATTATCGATAATGGCTCGATTCAGAGGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:53) S4 Reverse 5′-TATAGGATCCTTAACGGATTAATTGTTCGTTAATTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:54) S18 Forward 5′-TATATTATCGATAATGGCAGGTGGACCAAGAAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:55) S18 Reverse 5′TATAGGATCCTTATTGTTCTTCTTTAACAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:56) S6 Forward 5′-TATATTATCGATAATGAAGAAACATATGAAGTTAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:57) S6 Reverse 5′-TATAGGATCCTTACTTGTCTTCGTCTTCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:58)

EXAMPLE 6 Partial Ribosomal Assembly Assay

[0209] In this assay format several S-proteins are allowed to interact with 16S RNA in the presence of a test compound (FIG. 3). The assay makes use of all of the direct binding ribosomal proteins except S15 (S4, S7, S8, S17 and S20) and a select group of S. aureus ribosomal proteins which integrate themselves into the ribosome by reliance on protein-protein or protein-RNA interactions (non-direct binding ribosomal proteins) (S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19)

[0210] The starting material proteins are prepared by recombinant means and over-expression in a suitable host essentially as described in Examples 1, 2 and 3 for the S16 polypeptide of the invention with obvious modifications to reflect the differing sequences of the proteins involved. The nucleotide sequences of cDNA's encoding S. aureus direct binding ribosomal proteins S4, S7, S8, S17 and S20 are presented in SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 19 and 49 respectively.

[0211] The nucleotide sequences of cDNA's encoding S. aureus ribosomal proteins which integrate themselves into the ribosome by reliance on protein-protein or protein-RNA interactions S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, and S19 are presented in SEQ ID NOS:25, 27, 31, 33, 37, 41, 43, and 48 respectively. Nucleotide sequences encoding S. aureus. S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, S9, S10, S12, S14, S17 and S19 can be isolated by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Primers are selected as discussed previously, such that the entire amino acid coding region is isolated. The complete amino acid sequences of S. aureus S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, S9, S10, S12, S14, S17 and S19 polypeptides are presented in SEQ ID NOS:26, 11, 28, 13, 15, 31, 34, 38, 42, and 19 respectively. The production of the isolated S16 polypeptide of the invention is described hereinbefore. Sequences encoding S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, S9, S10, S12, S14, S17 and S19 can be isolated by means of probing a genomic Staphylococcus aureus library with probes designed from SEQ ID NOS:25, 27, 31, 33, 37, 41, 43, and 48 as well. The polymerase chain reaction would be a preferred method because it generally allows the isolation of a complete coding sequence in one experiment. The S3 protein is labeled, preferably radiolabeled.

[0212] RNA:protein assembly is assayed in 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂, 330 mM NaCl at 42° C. The procedure is based on the conditions of Culver and Noller (RNA, 1999, 5: 832-843) except that 0.01% Nikkol detergent is removed because it significantly complicates the LC/MS analysis. Ribosomal proteins S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16, S17, S19 and S20 are dialyzed overnight against 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂, 1 M NaCl. In the reconstitution, 200 pmol in vitro transcribed 16S RNA is incubated at 42° C. for 15 minutes. Then, 800 pmol ribosomal proteins S4, S7, S8, S17, and S20 added to the RNA, followed by ribosomal proteins, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19. The NaCl concentration is then adjusted to 330 mM by adding 80 mM K⁺-HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM MgCl₂. The mixture is then incubated at 42° C. for 20 more minutes. 800 pmol labeled ribosomal protein S3 is then added.

[0213] Unbound S-proteins are removed by size-separation or filtration. If the labelled S3 protein is present in the RNA:multiprotein complex then the compound does not inhibit any specific protein-protein interactions during the assembly process. If the compound prevents the incorporation of labelled S3 protein then the assay reveals that the test compound inhibits a protein-protein interaction.

[0214] The partially assembled RNA:multiprotein complex is then analyzed by LC/ion-trap electrospray analysis to determine the S-protein components in the partially assembled complex. Alternatively MALDI-tof-MS can be used. Knowing the identity of S-proteins in the partially assembled complex and published knowledge of how the 30S subunit is assembled in vitro (Noller and Nomura (1987) the protein-protein interaction that is disrupted by the test compound may be determined. The exact protein-protein interaction that is disrupted can be determined using selective combinations of S-proteins added to 16S RNA and compound. As stated above, this is an important confirmation process since published in vitro assembly maps are based on a limited data set. Assembly disruption by the test compound can be independently verified by analytical ultracentrifugation analysis (FIG. 4). In this process the partially assembled 30S complex is differentiated from intact complex by displaying a lower rate of sedimentation in a given centrifugal field (i.e., as measured by a lower sedimentation constant, expressed in Svedberg units or S). The contents of sedimentation clusters can be verified by mass spectrometry.

[0215] It will be clear that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as particularly described in the foregoing description and examples.

[0216] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and, therefore, are within the scope of the invention.

[0217] The entire disclosure of all publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

1 58 1 276 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 1 atggcagtta aaattcgttt aacacgttta ggttcaaaaa gaaatccatt ctatcgtatc 60 gtagtagcag atgctcgttc tccacgtgac ggacgtatca tcgaacaaat cggtacttat 120 aacccaacga gcgctaatgc tccagaaatt aaagttgacg aagcgttagc tttaaaatgg 180 ttaaatgatg gtgcgaaacc aactgataca gttcacaata tcttatcaaa agaaggtatt 240 atgaaaaaat ttgacgaaca aaagaaagct aagtaa 276 2 91 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 2 Met Ala Val Lys Ile Arg Leu Thr Arg Leu Gly Ser Lys Arg Asn Pro 1 5 10 15 Phe Tyr Arg Ile Val Val Ala Asp Ala Arg Ser Pro Arg Asp Gly Arg 20 25 30 Ile Ile Glu Gln Ile Gly Thr Tyr Asn Leu Asn Asp Gly Ala Lys Pro 35 40 45 Thr Asp Thr Val His Asn Ile Leu Ser Lys Glu Gly Ile Pro Thr Ser 50 55 60 Ala Asn Ala Pro Glu Ile Lys Val Asp Glu Ala Leu Ala Leu Lys Trp 65 70 75 80 Met Lys Lys Phe Asp Glu Gln Lys Lys Ala Lys 85 90 3 22 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequenceSequencing Primer 3 aactgccatt tataaaatct cc 22 4 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequenceSequencing Primer 4 taaaggagat tttataaatg gcag 24 5 22 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequenceSequencing Primer 5 ttatattggg gaacgtgtgc gg 22 6 23 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequenceSequencing Primer 6 agtctaattt agtaatcaca tag 23 7 23 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequenceSequencing Primer 7 tattactaac atgtgatatt ccc 23 8 37 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 8 gtgttatcga taatgcagtt aaaattcgtt taacacg 37 9 35 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 9 gtgttggatc cttacttagc tttcttttgt tcgtc 35 10 694 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 10 aacactcttt tttgtttatt cataacaaca aaaaagaatt aaaggaggag tcttattatg 60 gctcgattca gaggttcaaa ctggaaaaaa tctcgtcgtt taggtatctc tttaagcggt 120 actggtaaag aattagaaaa acgtccttac gcaccaggac aacatggtcc aaaccaacgt 180 aaaaaattat cagaatatgg tttacaatta cgtgaaaaac aaaaattacg ttacttatat 240 ggaatgactg aaagacaatt ccgtaacaca tttgacatcg ctggtaaaaa attcggtgta 300 cacggtgaaa acttcatgat cttattagca agtcgtttag acgctgttgt ttattcatta 360 ggtttagctc gtactcgtcg tcaagcacgt caattagtta accacggtca tatcttagta 420 gatggtaaac gtgttgatat tccatcttat tctgttaaac ctggtcaaac aatttcagtt 480 cgtgaaaaat ctcaaaaatt aaacatcatc gttgaatcag ttgaaatcaa caatttcgta 540 cctgagtact taaactttga tgctgacagc ttaactggta ctttcgtacg tttaccagaa 600 cgtagcgaat tacctgctga aattaacgaa caattaatcg ttgagtacta ctcaagataa 660 tacggtcaat accaacaccc acaattgtgg gtgt 694 11 200 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 11 Met Ala Arg Phe Arg Gly Ser Asn Trp Lys Lys Ser Arg Arg Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Ile Ser Leu Ser Gly Thr Gly Lys Glu Leu Glu Lys Arg Pro Tyr Ala 20 25 30 Pro Gly Gln His Gly Pro Asn Gln Arg Lys Lys Leu Ser Glu Tyr Gly 35 40 45 Leu Gln Leu Arg Glu Lys Gln Lys Leu Arg Tyr Leu Tyr Gly Met Thr 50 55 60 Glu Arg Gln Phe Arg Asn Thr Phe Asp Ile Ala Gly Lys Lys Phe Gly 65 70 75 80 Val His Gly Glu Asn Phe Met Ile Leu Leu Ala Ser Arg Leu Asp Ala 85 90 95 Val Val Tyr Ser Leu Gly Leu Ala Arg Thr Arg Arg Gln Ala Arg Gln 100 105 110 Leu Val Asn His Gly His Ile Leu Val Asp Gly Lys Arg Val Asp Ile 115 120 125 Pro Ser Tyr Ser Val Lys Pro Gly Gln Thr Ile Ser Val Arg Glu Lys 130 135 140 Ser Gln Lys Leu Asn Ile Ile Val Glu Ser Val Glu Ile Asn Asn Phe 145 150 155 160 Val Pro Glu Tyr Leu Asn Phe Asp Ala Asp Ser Leu Thr Gly Thr Phe 165 170 175 Val Arg Leu Pro Glu Arg Ser Glu Leu Pro Ala Glu Ile Asn Glu Gln 180 185 190 Leu Ile Arg Glu Tyr Tyr Ser Arg 195 200 12 667 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 12 ttcattatac ggaactaaga aacctaaaaa ctaagaattt agtttttaat taaatcttaa 60 acttaaaata tttaatataa ggaagggagg atttacatta tgcctcgtaa aggatcagta 120 cctaaaagag acgtattacc agatccaatt cataactcta agttagtaac taaattaatt 180 aacaaaatta tgttagatgg taaacgtgga acagcacaaa gaattcttta ttcagcattc 240 gacctagttg aacaacgcag tggtcgtgat gcattagaag tattcgaaga agcaatcaac 300 aacattatgc cagtattaga agttaaagct cgtcgcgtag gtggttctaa ctatcaagta 360 ccagtagaag ttcgtccaga gcgtcgtact actttaggtt tacgttggtt agttaactat 420 gcacgtcttc gtggtgaaaa aacgatggaa gatcgtttag ctaacgaaat tttagatgca 480 gcaaataata caggtggtgc cgttaagaaa cgtgaggaca ctcacaaaat ggctgaagca 540 aacaaagcat ttgctcacta ccgttggtaa gataaaagct tttaccctga gtgtgttcta 600 tattaatgaa ttttcattaa gcgttcatgc ttagggcatc gccatatcta tcgtatttat 660 tcagtaa 667 13 156 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 13 Met Pro Arg Lys Gly Ser Val Pro Lys Arg Asp Val Leu Pro Asp Pro 1 5 10 15 Ile His Asn Ser Lys Leu Val Thr Lys Leu Ile Asn Lys Ile Met Leu 20 25 30 Asp Gly Lys Arg Gly Thr Ala Gln Arg Ile Leu Tyr Ser Ala Phe Asp 35 40 45 Leu Val Glu Gln Arg Ser Gly Arg Asp Ala Leu Glu Val Phe Glu Glu 50 55 60 Ala Ile Asn Asn Ile Met Pro Val Leu Glu Val Lys Ala Arg Arg Val 65 70 75 80 Gly Gly Ser Asn Tyr Gln Val Pro Val Glu Val Arg Pro Glu Arg Arg 85 90 95 Thr Thr Leu Gly Leu Arg Trp Leu Val Asn Tyr Ala Arg Leu Arg Gly 100 105 110 Glu Lys Thr Met Glu Asp Arg Leu Ala Asn Glu Ile Leu Asp Ala Ala 115 120 125 Asn Asn Thr Gly Gly Ala Val Lys Lys Arg Glu Asp Thr His Lys Met 130 135 140 Ala Glu Ala Asn Lys Ala Phe Ala His Tyr Arg Trp 145 150 155 14 615 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 14 atcgtaaatt taaattatgc cgtatttgtt tccgtgaatt agcttacaaa ggccaaatcc 60 ctggcgttcg taaagctagc tggtaataaa aaagagtctg aaaggaggca acaatcaatg 120 acaatgacag atccaatcgc agatatgctt actcgtgtaa gaaacgcaaa catggtgcgt 180 cacgagaagt tagaattacc tgcatcaaat attaaaaaag aaattgctga aatcttaaag 240 agtgaaggtt tcattaaaaa tgttgaatac gtagaagatg ataaacaagg tgtacttcgt 300 ttattcttaa aatatggtca aaacgatgag cgtgttatca caggattaaa acgtatttca 360 aaaccaggtt tacgtgttta tgcaaaagct agcgaaatgc ctaaagtatt aaatggttta 420 ggtattgcat tagtatcaac ttctgaaggt gtaatcactg acaaagaagc aagaaaacgt 480 aatgttggtg gagaaattat cgcatacgtt tggtaataaa aaataaggag gtgccataac 540 atgagtcgtg ttggtaagaa aattattgac atccctagtg acgtaacagt aacttttgat 600 ggaaatcatg taact 615 15 132 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 15 Met Thr Met Thr Asp Pro Ile Ala Asp Met Leu Thr Arg Val Arg Asn 1 5 10 15 Ala Asn Met Val Arg His Glu Lys Leu Glu Leu Pro Ala Ser Asn Ile 20 25 30 Lys Lys Glu Ile Ala Glu Ile Leu Lys Ser Glu Gly Phe Ile Lys Asn 35 40 45 Val Glu Tyr Val Glu Asp Asp Lys Gln Gly Val Leu Arg Leu Phe Leu 50 55 60 Lys Tyr Gly Gln Asn Asp Glu Arg Val Ile Thr Gly Leu Lys Arg Ile 65 70 75 80 Ser Lys Pro Gly Leu Arg Val Tyr Ala Lys Ala Ser Glu Met Pro Lys 85 90 95 Val Leu Asn Gly Leu Gly Ile Ala Leu Val Ser Thr Ser Glu Gly Val 100 105 110 Ile Thr Asp Lys Glu Ala Arg Lys Arg Asn Val Gly Gly Glu Ile Ile 115 120 125 Ala Tyr Val Trp 130 16 517 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 16 tagttatata aacaatctat accacacctt tttcttagta ggtcgaatct ccaacgccta 60 actcggatta aggagtattc aaacatttta aggaggaaat tgattatggc aatttcacaa 120 gaacgtaaaa acgaaatcat taaagaatac cgtgtacacg aaactgatac tggttcacca 180 gaagtacaaa tcgctgtact tactgcagaa atcaacgcag taaacgaaca cttacgtaca 240 cacaaaaaag accaccattc acgtcgtgga ttattaaaaa tggtaggtcg tcgtagacat 300 ttattaaact acttacgtag taaagatatt caacgttacc gtgaattaat taaatcactt 360 ggtatccgtc gttaatctta atataacgtc tttgaggttg gggcatattt atgttccaac 420 cttaatttat attaaaaaag ctttttacaa atattaacat ttattatatg ttaagctaat 480 attgagtgaa taataaggtt acaatgagat aaagatg 517 17 89 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 17 Met Ala Ile Ser Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Glu Ile Ile Lys Glu Tyr Arg 1 5 10 15 Val His Glu Thr Asp Thr Gly Ser Pro Glu Val Gln Ile Ala Val Leu 20 25 30 Thr Ala Glu Ile Asn Ala Val Asn Glu His Leu Arg Thr His Lys Lys 35 40 45 Asp His His Ser Arg Arg Gly Leu Leu Lys Met Val Gly Arg Arg Arg 50 55 60 His Leu Leu Asn Tyr Leu Arg Ser Lys Asp Ile Gln Arg Tyr Arg Glu 65 70 75 80 Leu Ile Lys Ser Leu Gly Ile Arg Arg 85 18 401 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 18 tctaaaaact gttgctcgtg aaagagaaat tgaacaaagt aaggctaatc aataattaag 60 taagaggagg ttacaaaagt gagcgaaaga aacgatcgta aagtttatgt aggtaaagtt 120 gtttcagaca aaatggacaa gactattaca gtacttgttg aaacttacaa aacacacaaa 180 ttatacggta aacgagtaaa atactctaaa aaatacaaaa ctcatgatga aaacaattca 240 gctaaattag gagacattgt taaaattcaa gaaactcgtc ctttatcagc aacaaaacgt 300 tttcgtttag tagagattgt tgaagagtca gtaattattt aatacaagtt tagagataag 360 ggaggtttaa ctaatgatcc aacaagaaac acgcttgaaa g 401 19 87 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 19 Met Ser Glu Arg Asn Asp Arg Lys Val Tyr Val Gly Lys Val Val Ser 1 5 10 15 Asp Lys Met Asp Lys Thr Ile Thr Val Leu Val Glu Thr Tyr Lys Thr 20 25 30 His Lys Leu Tyr Gly Lys Arg Val Lys Tyr Ser Lys Lys Tyr Lys Thr 35 40 45 His Asp Glu Asn Asn Ser Ala Lys Leu Gly Asp Ile Val Lys Ile Gln 50 55 60 Glu Thr Arg Pro Leu Ser Ala Thr Lys Arg Phe Arg Leu Val Glu Ile 65 70 75 80 Val Glu Glu Ser Val Ile Ile 85 20 1555 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 20 ttttatggag agtttgatcc tggctcagga tgaacgctgg cggcgtgcct aatacatgca 60 agtcgagcga acggacgaga agcttgcttc tctgatgtta gcggcggacg ggtgagtaac 120 acgtggataa cctacctata agactgggat aacttcggga aaccggagct aataccggat 180 aatattttga accgcatggt tcaaaagtga aagacggtct tgctgtcact tatagatgga 240 tccgcgctgc attagctagt tggtaaggta acggcttacc aaggcaacga tacgtagccg 300 acctgagagg gtgatcggcc acactggaac tgagacacgg tccagactcc tacgggaggc 360 agcagtaggg aatcttccgc aatgggcgaa agcctgacgg agcaacgccg cgtgagtgat 420 gaaggtcttc ggatcgtaaa actctgttat tagggaagaa catatgtgta agtaactgtg 480 cacatcttga cggtacctaa tcagaaagcc acggctaact acgtgccagc agccgcggta 540 atacgtaggt ggcaagcgtt atccggaatt attgggcgta aagcgcgcgt aggcggtttt 600 ttaagtctga tgtgaaagcc cacggctcaa ccgtggaggg tcattggaaa ctggaaaact 660 tgagtgcaga agaggaaagt ggaattccat gtgtagcggt gaaatgcgca gagatatgga 720 ggaacaccag tggcgaaggc gactttctgg tctgtaactg acgctgatgt gcgaaagcgt 780 ggggatcaaa caggattaga taccctggta gtccacgccg taaacgatga gtgctaagtg 840 ttagggggtt tccgcccctt agtgctgcag ctaacgcatt aagcactccg cctggggagt 900 acgaccgcaa ggttgaaact caaaggaatt gacggggacc cgcacaagcg gtggagcatg 960 tggtttaatt cgaagcaacg cgaagaacct taccaaatct tgacatcctt tgacaactct 1020 agagatagag ccttcccctt cgggggacaa agtgacaggt ggtgcatggt tgtcgtcagc 1080 tcgtgtcgtg agatgttggg ttaagtcccg caacgagcgc aacccttaag cttagttgcc 1140 atcattaagt tgggcactct aagttgactg ccggtgacaa accggaggaa ggtggggatg 1200 acgtcaaatc atcatgcccc ttatgatttg ggctacacac gtgctacaat ggacaataca 1260 aagggcagcg aaaccgcgag gtcaagcaaa tcccataaag ttgttctcag ttcggattgt 1320 agtctgcaac tcgactacat gaagctggaa tcgctagtaa tcgtagatca gcatgctacg 1380 gtgaatacgt tcccgggtat tgtacacacc gcccgtcaca ccacgagagt ttgtaacacc 1440 cgaagccggt ggagtaacct tttaggagct agccgtcgaa ggtgggacaa atgattgggg 1500 tgaagtcgta acaaggtagc cgtatcggaa ggtgcggctg gatcacctcc tttct 1555 21 1294 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 21 tcttgacaat tctgtcagtt tataagatgt tataaatatg tagtgtataa ggaggcaaac 60 aagatgactg aagaattcaa tgaatcaatg attaacgata ttaaagaagg tgacaaagtc 120 actggcgagg tacaacaagt tgaagacaag caagttgttg ttcatatcaa cggtggtaaa 180 tttaatggga ttattcctat tagtcaacta tctacgcatc atattgatag cccaagtgaa 240 gttgtaaaag agggcgacga agttgaagca tatgtcacta aagttgagtt tgatgaagaa 300 aatgaaactg gagcttacat cttatctaga agacaacttg aaactgagaa gtcttatagt 360 tatttacaag aaaaattaga taataatgaa atcatcgaag cgaaagtaac agaagtagtt 420 aaaggtggtt tggttgttga tgtaggacaa agaggttttg ttccggcttc actaatttca 480 acagacttca ttgaggattt ctctgtgttt gatggacaaa caattcgtat taaagttgaa 540 gaattggatc ctgaaaataa tagagtcatt ttaagccgta aagcagttga acaagaagaa 600 aacgatgcta aaaaagatca attattacaa tctttaaatg aaggcgatgt tattgatggt 660 aaagtagcgc gtttaactca atttggtgca tttatagaca ttggcggtgt tgatggttta 720 gtgcatgtat ctgaactttc tcacgaacat gttcaaacac cagaagaagt agtttcaatt 780 ggtcaagatg ttaaagttaa aattaaatct attgatagag atacagaacg tatttcatta 840 tcaatcaaag atacgttacc aacacctttc gaaaatatta aaggtcaatt ccacgaaaat 900 gatgtcattg aaggtgtcgt agtaagattg gcaaactttg gtgcatttgt tgaaattgca 960 ccaggtgtac aaggacttgt acatatttct gaaattgcac acaaacacat tggtacgcca 1020 ggtgaagtgt tagaacctgg tcaacaagta aatgttaaaa tattaggtat tgatgaagag 1080 aatgaaagag tatcactatc tattaaagca acattaccaa acgaagatgt tgttgaaagt 1140 gatccttcta cgactaaggc gtacttagaa aacgaagaag aagataatcc aacaattggc 1200 gatatgattg gtgataaact taaaaatctt aaactataat ttaatattta atagtcaact 1260 ccacatgttt atgattgcat gtggagtatt ttta 1294 22 391 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 22 Met Thr Glu Glu Phe Asn Glu Ser Met Ile Asn Asp Ile Lys Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Lys Val Thr Gly Glu Val Gln Gln Val Glu Asp Lys Gln Val Val 20 25 30 Val His Ile Asn Gly Gly Lys Phe Asn Gly Ile Ile Pro Ile Ser Gln 35 40 45 Leu Ser Thr His His Ile Asp Ser Pro Ser Glu Val Val Lys Glu Gly 50 55 60 Asp Glu Val Glu Ala Tyr Val Thr Lys Val Glu Phe Asp Glu Glu Asn 65 70 75 80 Glu Thr Gly Ala Tyr Ile Leu Ser Arg Arg Gln Leu Glu Thr Glu Lys 85 90 95 Ser Tyr Ser Tyr Leu Gln Glu Lys Leu Asp Asn Asn Glu Ile Ile Glu 100 105 110 Ala Lys Val Thr Glu Val Val Lys Gly Gly Leu Val Val Asp Val Gly 115 120 125 Gln Arg Gly Phe Val Pro Ala Ser Leu Ile Ser Thr Asp Phe Ile Glu 130 135 140 Asp Phe Ser Val Phe Asp Gly Gln Thr Ile Arg Ile Lys Val Glu Glu 145 150 155 160 Leu Asp Pro Glu Asn Asn Arg Val Ile Leu Ser Arg Lys Ala Val Glu 165 170 175 Gln Glu Glu Asn Asp Ala Lys Lys Asp Gln Leu Leu Gln Ser Leu Asn 180 185 190 Glu Gly Asp Val Ile Asp Gly Lys Val Ala Arg Leu Thr Gln Phe Gly 195 200 205 Ala Phe Ile Asp Ile Gly Gly Val Asp Gly Leu Val His Val Ser Glu 210 215 220 Leu Ser His Glu His Val Gln Thr Pro Glu Glu Val Val Ser Ile Gly 225 230 235 240 Gln Asp Val Lys Val Lys Ile Lys Ser Ile Asp Arg Asp Thr Glu Arg 245 250 255 Ile Ser Leu Ser Ile Lys Asp Thr Leu Pro Thr Pro Phe Glu Asn Ile 260 265 270 Lys Gly Gln Phe His Glu Asn Asp Val Ile Glu Gly Val Val Val Arg 275 280 285 Leu Ala Asn Phe Gly Ala Phe Val Glu Ile Ala Pro Gly Val Gln Gly 290 295 300 Leu Val His Ile Ser Glu Ile Ala His Lys His Ile Gly Thr Pro Gly 305 310 315 320 Glu Val Leu Glu Pro Gly Gln Gln Val Asn Val Lys Ile Leu Gly Ile 325 330 335 Asp Glu Glu Asn Glu Arg Val Ser Leu Ser Ile Lys Ala Thr Leu Pro 340 345 350 Asn Glu Asp Val Val Glu Ser Asp Pro Ser Thr Thr Lys Ala Tyr Leu 355 360 365 Glu Asn Glu Glu Glu Asp Asn Pro Thr Ile Gly Asp Met Ile Gly Asp 370 375 380 Lys Leu Lys Asn Leu Lys Leu 385 390 23 924 DNA Staphylococcus aureus misc_feature (271)..(271) unknown 23 atattgtctt tacaatagtt tgctatggag gtaattaacc aataggagga atttataatg 60 gcagtaattt caatgaaaca attactagaa gcgggtgttc mcttcggtca ccaaacacgt 120 cgttggaacc caaaaatgaa aaaatatatc ttcactgaga gaaatggtat ttatatcatc 180 gacttacaaa aaacagtgaa aaaagtagac gaggcataca acttcttgaa acaagtttca 240 gaagatggtg gacaagtctt attcgtagga nctaaaaaac aagcacaaga atcagttaaa 300 tctgaagcag aacgtgctgg tcaattctac attaaccaaa gatggttagg tggattatta 360 actaactata aaacgatctc aaaacgaatc aaacgtattt ctgaaattga aaaaatggaa 420 gaagatggtt tattcgaagt attacctaaa aaagaagtag tagaacttaa aaaagaatac 480 gaccgtttaa tcaaattctt aggcggaatt cgtgatatga aatcaatgcc tcaagcatta 540 ttcgtagttg acccacgtaa agagcgtaat gcaattgctg aagctcgtaa attaaatatt 600 cctatcgtag gtatcgttga cactaactgt gatcctgacg aaattgacta cgttatccca 660 gcaaacgacg atgctatccg tgcggttaaa ttattaactg ctaaaatggc agatgcaatc 720 ttagaaggtc aacaaggcgt ttctaatgaa gaagtagctg cagaacaaaa catcgattta 780 gatgaaaaag aaaaatcaga agaaacagaa gcaactgaag aataatcaac tgttgaatct 840 gacttagata tagtttaaat gggtgataag atattaatgc ttatcacctt ttttaaaaag 900 aaaatcgagg caaattacaa atat 924 24 255 PRT Staphylococcus aureus misc_feature (15)..(15) unknown 24 Met Ala Val Ile Ser Met Lys Gln Leu Leu Glu Ala Gly Val Xaa Phe 1 5 10 15 Gly His Gln Thr Arg Arg Trp Asn Pro Lys Met Lys Lys Tyr Ile Phe 20 25 30 Thr Glu Arg Asn Gly Ile Tyr Ile Ile Asp Leu Gln Lys Thr Val Lys 35 40 45 Lys Val Asp Glu Ala Tyr Asn Phe Leu Lys Gln Val Ser Glu Asp Gly 50 55 60 Gly Gln Val Leu Phe Val Gly Thr Lys Lys Gln Ala Gln Glu Ser Val 65 70 75 80 Lys Ser Glu Ala Glu Arg Ala Gly Gln Phe Tyr Ile Asn Gln Arg Trp 85 90 95 Leu Gly Gly Leu Leu Thr Asn Tyr Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Arg Ile Lys 100 105 110 Arg Ile Ser Glu Ile Glu Lys Met Glu Glu Asp Gly Leu Phe Glu Val 115 120 125 Leu Pro Lys Lys Glu Val Val Glu Leu Lys Lys Glu Tyr Asp Arg Leu 130 135 140 Ile Lys Phe Leu Gly Gly Ile Arg Asp Met Lys Ser Met Pro Gln Ala 145 150 155 160 Leu Phe Val Val Asp Pro Arg Lys Glu Arg Asn Ala Ile Ala Glu Ala 165 170 175 Arg Lys Leu Asn Ile Pro Ile Val Gly Ile Val Asp Thr Asn Cys Asp 180 185 190 Pro Asp Glu Ile Asp Tyr Val Ile Pro Ala Asn Asp Asp Ala Ile Arg 195 200 205 Ala Val Lys Leu Leu Thr Ala Lys Met Ala Asp Ala Ile Leu Glu Gly 210 215 220 Gln Gln Gly Val Ser Asn Glu Glu Val Ala Ala Glu Gln Asn Ile Asp 225 230 235 240 Leu Asp Glu Lys Glu Lys Ser Glu Glu Thr Glu Ala Thr Glu Glu 245 250 255 25 800 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 25 aacaaacgta caagccacat tacaatcgtc gtaagtgacg gtaaagaaga agctaaagaa 60 gcttaattaa cttttaagga gggaatactg tgggtcaaaa aattaatcca atcggacttc 120 gtgttggtat tatccgtgat tgggaagcta aatggtatgc tgaaaaagac ttcgcttcac 180 ttttacacga agatttaaaa atccgtaaat ttattgataa tgaattaaaa gaagcatcag 240 tttctcacgt agagattgaa cgtgctgcaa accgtatcaa cattgcaatt catactggta 300 aacctggtat ggtaattggt aaaggcggtt cagaaatcga aaaattacgc aacaaattaa 360 atgcgttaac tgataaaaaa gtacacatca acgtaattga aatcaaaaaa gttgatcttg 420 acgctcgttt agtagctgaa aacatcgcac gtcaattaga aaaccgtgct tcattccgtc 480 gtgtacaaaa acaagcaatc actagagcta tgaaacttgg tgctaaaggt atcaaaactc 540 aagtatctgg tcgtttaggc ggagctgaca tcgctcgtgc tgaacaatat tcagaaggaa 600 ctgttccact tcatacgtta cgtgctgaca tcgattatgc acacgctgaa gctgacacta 660 cttacggtaa attaggcgtt aaagtatgga tttatcgtgg agaagttctt cctactaaga 720 acactagtgg aggaggaaaa taataatgtt actaccaaaa cgtgtaaaat atcgtcgtca 780 acatcgtcct aaaacaactg 800 26 221 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 26 Met Gly Asn Thr Val Gly Gln Lys Ile Asn Pro Ile Gly Leu Arg Val 1 5 10 15 Gly Ile Ile Arg Asp Trp Glu Ala Lys Trp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Asp Phe 20 25 30 Ala Ser Leu Leu His Glu Asp Leu Lys Ile Arg Lys Phe Ile Asp Asn 35 40 45 Glu Leu Lys Glu Ala Ser Val Ser His Val Glu Ile Glu Arg Ala Ala 50 55 60 Asn Arg Ile Asn Ile Ala Ile His Thr Gly Lys Pro Gly Met Val Ile 65 70 75 80 Gly Lys Gly Gly Ser Glu Ile Glu Lys Leu Arg Asn Lys Leu Asn Ala 85 90 95 Leu Thr Asp Lys Lys Val His Ile Asn Val Ile Glu Ile Lys Lys Val 100 105 110 Asp Leu Asp Ala Arg Leu Val Ala Glu Asn Ile Ala Arg Gln Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asn Arg Ala Ser Phe Arg Arg Val Gln Lys Gln Ala Ile Thr Arg Ala 130 135 140 Met Lys Leu Gly Ala Lys Gly Ile Lys Thr Gln Val Ser Gly Arg Leu 145 150 155 160 Gly Gly Ala Asp Ile Ala Arg Ala Glu Gln Tyr Ser Glu Gly Thr Val 165 170 175 Pro Leu His Thr Leu Arg Ala Asp Ile Asp Tyr Ala His Ala Glu Ala 180 185 190 Asp Thr Thr Tyr Gly Lys Leu Gly Val Lys Val Trp Ile Tyr Arg Gly 195 200 205 Glu Val Leu Pro Thr Lys Asn Thr Ser Gly Gly Gly Lys 210 215 220 27 639 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 27 tcacggacgt gttaaagcat tagctgaagc agcaagagaa agcggattag aattttaatt 60 taaaggaggg acaaatacat ggctcgtaga gaagaagaga cgaaagaatt tgaagaacgc 120 gttgttacaa tcaaccgtgt agcaaaagtt gtaaaaggtg gtcgtcgttt ccgtttcact 180 gcattagttg tagttggaga caaaaatggt cgtgtaggtt tcggtactgg taaagctcaa 240 gaggtaccag aagcaatcaa aaaagctgtt gaagcagcta aaaaagattt agtagttgtt 300 ccacgtgttg aaggtacaac tccacacaca attactggcc gttacggttc aggaagcgta 360 tttatgaaac cggctgcacc tggtacagga gttatcgctg gtggtcctgt tcgtgccgta 420 cttgaattag caggtatcac tgatatctta agtaaatcat taggatcaaa cacaccaatc 480 aacatggttc gtgctacaat cgatggttta caaaacctta aaaatgctga agatgttgcg 540 aaattacgtg gcaaaacagt agaagaatta tacaattaag gagggaaaac tagttatggc 600 taaattacaa attaccctca ctcgtagtgt tattggtcg 639 28 166 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 28 Met Ala Arg Arg Glu Glu Glu Thr Lys Glu Phe Glu Glu Arg Val Val 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Asn Arg Val Ala Lys Val Val Lys Gly Gly Arg Arg Phe Arg 20 25 30 Phe Thr Ala Leu Val Val Val Gly Asp Lys Asn Gly Arg Val Gly Phe 35 40 45 Gly Thr Gly Lys Ala Gln Glu Val Pro Glu Ala Ile Lys Lys Ala Val 50 55 60 Glu Ala Ala Lys Lys Asp Leu Val Val Val Pro Arg Val Glu Gly Thr 65 70 75 80 Thr Pro His Thr Ile Thr Gly Arg Tyr Gly Ser Gly Ser Val Phe Met 85 90 95 Lys Pro Ala Ala Pro Gly Thr Gly Val Ile Ala Gly Gly Pro Val Arg 100 105 110 Ala Val Leu Glu Leu Ala Gly Ile Thr Asp Ile Leu Ser Lys Ser Leu 115 120 125 Gly Ser Asn Thr Pro Ile Asn Met Val Arg Ala Thr Ile Asp Gly Leu 130 135 140 Gln Asn Leu Lys Asn Ala Glu Asp Val Ala Lys Leu Arg Gly Lys Thr 145 150 155 160 Val Glu Glu Leu Tyr Asn 165 29 499 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 29 gcgcatgata taattcttta ttgtgagtaa tgaaaattat tccttgctta tctgttttaa 60 gattgataag ccgtatagac cacaaggagg tgcaaatata aaatgagaac atatgaagtt 120 atgtacatcg tacgcccaaa cattgaggaa gatgctaaaa aagcgttagt tgaacgtttc 180 aacggtatct tagctactga aggtgcagaa gttttagaag caaaagactg gggtaaacgt 240 cgcctagctt atgaaatcaa tgatttcaaa gatggcttct acaacatcgt acgtgttaaa 300 tctgataaca acaaagctac tgacgaattc caacgtctag ctaaaatcag tgacgatatc 360 attcgttaca tggttattcg tgaagacgaa gacaagtaat aattagaggg ggcgtttaaa 420 tgctaaatag agttgtatta gtaggtcgtt taacgaaaga tccggaatac agaaccactc 480 cctcaggtgt gagtgtagc 499 30 98 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 30 Met Arg Thr Tyr Glu Val Met Tyr Ile Val Arg Pro Asn Ile Glu Glu 1 5 10 15 Asp Ala Lys Lys Ala Leu Val Glu Arg Phe Asn Gly Ile Leu Ala Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Glu Val Leu Glu Ala Lys Asp Trp Gly Lys Arg Arg Leu 35 40 45 Ala Tyr Glu Ile Asn Asp Phe Lys Asp Gly Phe Tyr Asn Ile Val Arg 50 55 60 Val Lys Ser Asp Asn Asn Lys Ala Thr Asp Glu Phe Gln Arg Leu Ala 65 70 75 80 Lys Ile Ser Asp Asp Ile Ile Arg Tyr Met Val Ile Arg Glu Asp Glu 85 90 95 Asp Lys 31 462 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 31 gtgcacaaca accagaaaac tacgaattac gtggttaatt agaaggagga aatgactttg 60 gcacaagttg aatatagagg cacaggccgt cgtaaaaact cagtagcacg tgtacgttta 120 gtaccaggtg aaggtaacat cacagttaat aaccgtgacg tacgcgaata cttaccattc 180 gaatcattaa ttttagactt aaaccaacca tttgatgtaa ctgaaactaa aggtaactat 240 gatgttttag ttaacgttca tggtggtggt ttcactggac aagctcaagc tatccgtcac 300 ggaatcgctc gtgcattatt agaagcagat cctgaataca gaggttcttt aaaacgcgct 360 ggattactta ctcgtgaccc acgtatgaaa gaacgtaaaa aaccaggtct taaagcagct 420 cgtcgttcac ctcaattctc aaaacgttaa ttgtcggacg at 462 32 132 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 32 Met Thr Leu Ala Gln Val Glu Tyr Arg Gly Thr Gly Arg Arg Lys Asn 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Ala Arg Val Arg Leu Val Pro Gly Glu Gly Asn Ile Thr Val 20 25 30 Asn Asn Arg Asp Val Arg Glu Tyr Leu Pro Phe Glu Ser Leu Ile Leu 35 40 45 Asp Leu Asn Gln Pro Phe Asp Val Thr Glu Thr Lys Gly Asn Tyr Asp 50 55 60 Val Leu Val Asn Val His Gly Gly Gly Phe Thr Gly Gln Ala Gln Ala 65 70 75 80 Ile Arg His Gly Ile Ala Arg Ala Leu Leu Glu Ala Asp Pro Glu Tyr 85 90 95 Arg Gly Ser Leu Lys Arg Ala Gly Leu Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro Arg Met 100 105 110 Lys Glu Arg Lys Lys Pro Gly Leu Lys Ala Ala Arg Arg Ser Pro Gln 115 120 125 Phe Ser Lys Arg 130 33 441 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 33 aggttactga cacacccggc cgctttgcca tggcgctgtg taagatagtt ttcgtggaga 60 agtctatcac taaatgtaga cgaataagga gggaaaatta tggcaaaaca aaaaatcaga 120 atcagattaa aagcttatga tcaccgcgta attgatcaat cagcagagaa gattgtagaa 180 acagcgaaac gttctggtgc agatgtttct ggaccaattc cgttaccaac tgagaaatca 240 cgtacacaca aacgtttaat cgatattgta aacccaacac caaaaacagt tgacgcttta 300 atgggcttaa acttaccatc tggtgtagac atcgaaatca aattataata gacaatttta 360 ggaggtggac tttcgatgac caaaggaatc ttaggaagaa aaattgggat gacacaagta 420 ttcggagaaa acggtgaatt a 441 34 102 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 34 Met Ala Lys Gln Lys Ile Arg Ile Arg Leu Lys Ala Tyr Asp His Arg 1 5 10 15 Val Ile Asp Gln Ser Ala Glu Lys Ile Val Glu Thr Ala Lys Arg Ser 20 25 30 Gly Ala Asp Val Ser Gly Pro Ile Pro Leu Pro Thr Glu Lys Ser Val 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ile Ile Arg Ala Val His Lys Tyr Lys Asp Ser Arg Glu Gln 50 55 60 Phe Glu Gln Arg Thr His Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ile Val Asn Pro Thr 65 70 75 80 Pro Lys Thr Val Asp Ala Leu Met Gly Leu Asn Leu Pro Ser Gly Val 85 90 95 Asp Ile Glu Ile Lys Leu 100 35 594 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 35 agttcgtggt caaaaaacga aaaacmacgc gcgtactcgt aaaggaccag ttaaaacggt 60 agctaacaag aaaaaatmat aggtaaagga ggcaaatttt aaatggcacg taaacaagta 120 tctcgtaaac gtagagtgaa aaagaatatt gaaaatggtg tagcacacat ccgttcaaca 180 ttcaacaaca ctattgtaac tatcactgat gagttcggta atgctttatc atggtcatca 240 gctggtgcat taggattcaa aggatctaaa aaatcaacac catttgcagc acaaatggct 300 tctgaaactg catctaaatc agctatggag catggtttaa aaacagttga agtaacagtt 360 aaaggacctg gtccaggtcg tgaatcagct attcgtgcat tacaatctgc aggtttagaa 420 gtaactgcga tcagagacgt tactccagta cctcataacg gttgtcgtcc accaaaacgt 480 cgtcgtgtat aatttatgat ggtattgtta caggtcactg agcaaacatt ttaaattaag 540 tcgacgtata taaggaggat atttaaatga tagaaatcga aaaacctaga attg 594 36 129 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 36 Met Ala Arg Lys Gln Val Ser Arg Lys Arg Arg Val Lys Lys Asn Ile 1 5 10 15 Glu Asn Gly Val Ala His Ile Arg Ser Thr Phe Asn Asn Thr Ile Val 20 25 30 Thr Ile Thr Asp Glu Phe Gly Asn Ala Leu Ser Trp Ser Ser Ala Gly 35 40 45 Ala Leu Gly Phe Lys Gly Ser Lys Lys Ser Thr Pro Phe Ala Ala Gln 50 55 60 Met Ala Ser Glu Thr Ala Ser Lys Ser Ala Met Glu His Gly Leu Lys 65 70 75 80 Thr Val Glu Val Thr Val Lys Gly Pro Gly Pro Gly Arg Glu Ser Ala 85 90 95 Ile Arg Ala Leu Gln Ser Ala Gly Leu Glu Val Thr Ala Ile Arg Asp 100 105 110 Val Thr Pro Val Pro His Asn Gly Cys Arg Pro Pro Lys Arg Arg Arg 115 120 125 Val 37 620 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 37 ttaaatgaga attagtaagt gttttactta ctaaatttta tttaacctaa aaatgaacca 60 cctggatgtg tgggattaaa aagtgaagag aggaggacat atcacatgcc aactattaac 120 caattagtac gtaaaccaag acaaagcaaa atcaaaaaat cagattctcc agctttaaat 180 aaaggtttca acagtaaaaa gaaaaaattt actgacttaa actcaccaca aaaacgtggt 240 gtatgtactc gtgtaggtac aatgacacct aaaaaaccta actcagcgtt acgtaaatat 300 gcacgtgtgc gtttatcaaa caacatcgaa attaacgcat acatccctgg tatcggacat 360 aacttacaag aacacagtgt tgtacttgta cgtggtggac gtgtaaaaga cttaccaggt 420 gtgcgttacc atattgtacg tggagcactt gatacttcag gtgttgacgg acgtagacaa 480 ggtcgttcat tatacggaac taagaaacct aaaaactaag aatttagttt ttaattaaat 540 cttaaactta aaatatttaa tataaggaag ggaggattta cattatgcct cgtaaaggat 600 cagtacctaa aagagacgta 620 38 137 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 38 Met Pro Thr Ile Asn Gln Leu Val Arg Lys Pro Arg Gln Ser Lys Ile 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Ser Asp Ser Pro Ala Leu Asn Lys Gly Phe Asn Ser Lys Lys 20 25 30 Lys Lys Phe Thr Asp Leu Asn Ser Pro Gln Lys Arg Gly Val Cys Thr 35 40 45 Arg Val Gly Thr Met Thr Pro Lys Lys Pro Asn Ser Ala Leu Arg Lys 50 55 60 Tyr Ala Arg Val Arg Leu Ser Asn Asn Ile Glu Ile Asn Ala Tyr Ile 65 70 75 80 Pro Gly Ile Gly His Asn Leu Gln Glu His Ser Val Val Leu Val Arg 85 90 95 Gly Gly Arg Val Lys Asp Leu Pro Gly Val Arg Tyr His Ile Val Arg 100 105 110 Gly Ala Leu Asp Thr Ser Gly Val Asp Gly Arg Arg Gln Gly Arg Ser 115 120 125 Leu Tyr Gly Thr Lys Lys Pro Lys Asn 130 135 39 633 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 39 gtataaaaat gaaagtaaga ccatcagtaa aacctatttg cgaaaaatgt aaagtcatta 60 aacgtaaagg taaagtaatg gtaatttgtg aaaatccaaa acacaaacaa agacaaggtt 120 aataaaagag aggtgtaaat taatatggca cgtattgcag gagtagatat tccacgtgaa 180 aaacgcgtag ttatctcatt aacttatata tacggtatcg gtacgtcaac tgctcaaaaa 240 attcttgaag aagctaacgt atcagctgat actcgtgtga aagatttaac tgatgacgaa 300 ttaggtcgca tccgtgaagt tgtagacggt tataaagtcg aaggtgactt acgtcgtgaa 360 actaacttaa atatcaaacg tttaatggaa atttcatcat accgtggtat ccgtcaccgt 420 cgtggtttac cagttcgtgg tcaaaaaacg aaaaacaacg cgcgtactcg taaaggacca 480 gttaaaacgg tagctaacaa gaaaaaataa taggtaaagg aggcaaattt taaatggcac 540 gtaaacaagt atctcgtaaa cgtagagtga aaaagaatat tgaaaatggt gtagcacaca 600 tccgttcaac attcaacaac actattgtaa cta 633 40 121 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 40 Met Ala Arg Ile Ala Gly Val Asp Ile Pro Arg Glu Lys Arg Val Val 1 5 10 15 Ile Ser Leu Thr Tyr Ile Tyr Gly Ile Gly Thr Ser Thr Ala Gln Lys 20 25 30 Ile Leu Glu Glu Ala Asn Val Ser Ala Asp Thr Arg Val Lys Asp Leu 35 40 45 Thr Asp Asp Glu Leu Gly Arg Ile Arg Glu Val Val Asp Gly Tyr Lys 50 55 60 Val Glu Gly Asp Leu Arg Arg Glu Thr Asn Leu Asn Ile Lys Arg Leu 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Ile Ser Ser Tyr Arg Gly Ile Arg His Arg Arg Gly Leu Pro 85 90 95 Val Arg Gly Gln Lys Thr Lys Asn Asn Ala Arg Thr Arg Lys Gly Pro 100 105 110 Val Lys Thr Val Ala Asn Lys Lys Lys 115 120 41 311 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 41 ctcgtgaatt gttagctaac ttcggtatgc cattccgtaa ataattattt aaaggaggct 60 aattaagtgg ctaaaacttc aatggttgct aagcaacaaa aaaaacaaaa atatgcagtt 120 cgtgaataca ctcgttgtga acgttgtggc cgtccacatt ctgtatatcg taaatttaaa 180 ttatgccgta tttgtttccg tgaattagct tacaaaggcc aaatccctgg cgttcgtaaa 240 gctagctggt aataaaaaag agtctgaaag gaggcaacaa tcaatgacaa tgacagatcc 300 aatcgcagat a 311 42 61 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 42 Met Ala Lys Thr Ser Met Val Ala Lys Gln Gln Lys Lys Gln Lys Tyr 1 5 10 15 Ala Val Arg Glu Tyr Thr Arg Cys Glu Arg Cys Gly Arg Pro His Ser 20 25 30 Val Tyr Arg Lys Phe Lys Leu Cys Arg Ile Cys Phe Arg Glu Leu Ala 35 40 45 Tyr Lys Gly Gln Ile Pro Gly Val Arg Lys Ala Ser Trp 50 55 60 43 710 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 43 aacattcata cacctgttaa tattatttct tgtagaaaat aaaaattaaa acatgactta 60 aaggagattt tataaatggc agttaaaatt cgtttaacac gtttaggttc aaaaagaaat 120 ccattctatc gtatcgtagt agcagatgct cgttctccac gtgacggacg tatcatcgaa 180 caaatcggta cttataaccc aacgagcgct aatgctccag aaattaaagt tgacgaagcg 240 ttagctttaa aatggttaaa tgatggtgcg aaaccaactg atacagttca caatatctta 300 tcaaaagaag gtattatgaa aaaatttgac gaacaaaaga aagctaagta atttagcgta 360 aaattgttct aacaataaga ataactcgtt tacactgaca gttattactc aatgatacgt 420 tgggaatatc acatgttagt aatatagaac gtttgggtac cataatggtg ccctttttct 480 ttgaattatt ttcaattaaa atagaagtgg tcaaagcata gagttggagg taatagaatg 540 agagttgaag ttggtcaaaa ttgtttacac acacggggtt taaaaggtgg aaattaaagg 600 taaatccatt tcagaccttt tacagaccgg ttcggttttc aaccccggtc caaagatgcc 660 tgaccagttg ggccttaaac caaattaaac cgaccccctt ggaaatatta 710 44 92 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 44 Met Ala Val Lys Ile Arg Leu Thr Arg Leu Gly Ser Lys Arg Asn Pro 1 5 10 15 Phe Tyr Arg Ile Ile Val Val Ala Asp Ala Arg Ser Pro Arg Asp Gly 20 25 30 Arg Ile Ile Glu Gln Ile Gly Thr Tyr Asn Pro Thr Ser Ala Asn Ala 35 40 45 Pro Glu Ile Lys Val Asp Glu Ala Leu Ala Leu Lys Trp Leu Asn Asp 50 55 60 Gly Ala Lys Pro Thr Asp Thr Val His Asn Ile Leu Ser Lys Glu Gly 65 70 75 80 Ile Met Lys Lys Phe Asp Glu Gln Lys Lys Ala Lys 85 90 45 437 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 45 aatgcaaacg gaccgattga tataagtgat gatgacttac cattctaata aaaattaacg 60 aaattaaagc gaaaaaatta tcaaaggagg cacacaatca tggcaggtgg accaagaaga 120 ggcggacgtc gtcgtaaaaa agtatgctat ttcacagcaa atggtattac acatatcgac 180 tacaaagaca ctgaattatt aaaacgtttt atctcagaac gcggtaaaat tttaccacgt 240 cgtgtaactg gtacttcagc taaatatcaa cgtatgttga ctacagctat caaacgttct 300 cgtcatatgg cattattacc atatgttaaa gaagaacaat aatatataat ttattgtcaa 360 accccgtagg cataggctta cggggctttt tgtgttttgg ggtatagaaa aagggcaaaa 420 aggatgatgt gaatgtt 437 46 80 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 46 Met Ala Gly Gly Pro Arg Arg Gly Gly Arg Arg Arg Lys Lys Val Cys 1 5 10 15 Tyr Phe Thr Ala Asn Gly Ile Thr His Ile Asp Tyr Lys Asp Thr Glu 20 25 30 Leu Leu Lys Arg Phe Ile Ser Glu Arg Gly Lys Ile Leu Pro Arg Arg 35 40 45 Val Thr Gly Thr Ser Ala Lys Tyr Gln Arg Met Leu Thr Thr Ala Ile 50 55 60 Lys Arg Ser Arg His Met Ala Leu Leu Pro Tyr Val Lys Glu Glu Gln 65 70 75 80 47 478 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 47 aaacttatcg ttcgtggacg taagaaaaaa taatataatc aacttatttg ggtgtgcggc 60 ttaaagctgc acgcacataa taagaaggga ggcgcccaaa tggctcgtag tattaaaaaa 120 ggacctttcg tcgatgagca tttaatgaaa aaagttgaag ctcaagaagg aagcgaaaag 180 aaacaagtaa tcaaaacatg gtcacgtcgt tctacaattt tccctaattt catcggacat 240 acttttgcag tatacgacgg acgtaaacac gtacctgtat atgtaactga agatatggta 300 ggtcataaat taggtgagtt tgctcctact cgtacattca aaggacacgt tgcagacgac 360 aagaaaacaa gaagataata tctattaagt agaggaggac atcctaatgg aagcaaaagc 420 ggttgctaga acaataagaa tcgcacctcg taaagtaaga ctagttcttg acttaatc 478 48 92 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 48 Met Ala Arg Ser Ile Lys Lys Gly Pro Phe Val Asp Glu His Leu Met 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Val Glu Ala Gln Glu Gly Ser Glu Lys Lys Gln Val Ile Lys 20 25 30 Thr Trp Ser Arg Arg Ser Thr Ile Phe Pro Asn Phe Ile Gly His Thr 35 40 45 Phe Ala Val Tyr Asp Gly Arg Lys His Val Pro Val Tyr Val Thr Glu 50 55 60 Asp Met Val Gly His Lys Leu Gly Glu Phe Ala Pro Thr Arg Thr Phe 65 70 75 80 Lys Gly His Val Ala Asp Asp Lys Lys Thr Arg Arg 85 90 49 520 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 49 tgcaaaattt taagctaacc ccatcaaata aatgattgca caacggttag acttttgtta 60 aaatatttct tgttgtaatc aaataaaatt ttgataagat gaactcactt ttaggaggtg 120 gcagaaatgg caaatatcaa atctgcaatt aaacgtgtaa aaacaactga aaaagctgaa 180 gcacgcaaca tttcacaaaa gagtgcaatg cgtacagcag ttaaaaacgc taaaacagct 240 gtttcaaata acgctgataa taaaaatgaa ttagtaagct tagcagttaa gttagtagac 300 aaagctgctc aaagtaattt aatacattca aacaaagctg accgtattaa atcacaatta 360 atgactgcaa ataaataatc tttttaaata aaagttcaag cgcatgcttg aacttttatt 420 ttttataaag atagaatgaa taattccagt attaactgtt tatccatata tgatgattta 480 agtttataat cagtttccgc acaagcatct ataatattca 520 50 83 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 50 Met Ala Asn Ile Lys Ser Ala Ile Lys Arg Val Lys Thr Thr Glu Lys 1 5 10 15 Ala Glu Ala Arg Asn Ile Ser Gln Lys Ser Ala Met Arg Thr Ala Val 20 25 30 Lys Asn Ala Lys Thr Ala Val Ser Asn Asn Ala Asp Asn Lys Asn Glu 35 40 45 Leu Val Ser Leu Ala Val Lys Leu Val Asp Lys Ala Ala Gln Ser Asn 50 55 60 Leu Ile His Ser Asn Lys Ala Asp Arg Ile Lys Ser Gln Leu Met Thr 65 70 75 80 Ala Asn Lys 51 499 DNA Staphylococcus aureus 51 tgtttcaaat aaaaaacaat ttactaattg accataaatt acagatatat tatacttata 60 aatgcatagt tttactgtgc aattgactat aaagttccgt tgatatttgg agggagggaa 120 atacagatgt ctaaaacagt agtacgtaaa aatgaatcac ttgaagatgc gttacgtaga 180 tttaaacgtt cagtttctaa aagtggaaca atccaagaag tacgtaaacg tgaattttac 240 gaaaaaccaa gcgtaaaacg taaaaagaaa tcagaagctg cacgtaaacg taaattcaaa 300 taattaatac ctctgttgac tccctcaaca cgaatattaa ttatataaaa caaacatcac 360 aagttagtgt ctgacactaa tatgtgatgt ttttttgttg tcaattttta attaaaaaaa 420 gttatatagt ttataaataa tcaaattgat attctatagg ttcttataac tataaagtat 480 attcaatttc atgtataat 499 52 58 PRT Staphylococcus aureus 52 Met Ser Lys Thr Val Val Arg Lys Asn Glu Ser Leu Glu Asp Ala Leu 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Phe Lys Arg Ser Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Thr Ile Gln Glu Val 20 25 30 Arg Lys Arg Glu Phe Tyr Glu Lys Pro Ser Val Lys Arg Lys Lys Lys 35 40 45 Ser Glu Ala Ala Arg Lys Arg Lys Phe Lys 50 55 53 31 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 53 tatattatcg ataatggctc gattcagagg t 31 54 36 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 54 tataggatcc ttaacggatt aattgttcgt taattt 36 55 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 55 tatattatcg ataatggcag gtggaccaag aag 33 56 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 56 tataggatcc ttattgttct tctttaacat 30 57 35 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 57 tatattatcg ataatgaaga aacatatgaa gttat 35 58 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial SequencePCR Primer 58 tataggatcc ttacttgtct tcgtcttcac 30 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:2
 2. An isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence having least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:1
 3. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2
 4. An isolated nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1
 5. An isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having least 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2
 6. An isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2
 7. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 6 which is labeled
 8. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 7 wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of: radiolabels, fluorescent labels, amino acid tags and biotin
 9. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 8 wherein said S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises a radiolabel
 10. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 8 wherein said S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises a fluorescent label.
 11. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 8 wherein said S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises an amino acid tag.
 12. The isolated S16 ribosomal polypeptide of claim 8 wherein said S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises a biotin molecule
 13. A vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 1
 14. A host cell comprising the vector of claim 13
 15. A method of making isolated an S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprising: a) introducing the nucleic acid of claim 1 into a host cell b) maintaining said host cell under conditions whereby said nucleic acid is expressed to produce said S16 ribosomal polypeptide c) purifying said S16 ribosomal polypeptide
 16. A method for testing for inhibitors of ribosomal assembly comprising the steps of: a.) contacting at least one direct binding ribosomal polypeptide selected from the group consisting of S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 with 16S ribosomal RNA to form a polyribonucleotide protein complex and; b) contacting said polyribonucleotide protein complex with S16 ribosomal polypeptide (i) in the presence of a test agent; and (ii) in the absence of said test agent; and c) determining the amount of S16 ribosomal polypeptide bound to the polyribonucleotide protein complex (i) in the presence of a test agent; and (ii) in the absence of said test agent; and d) comparing the amount of S16 ribosomal polypeptide determined in step (c)(i) to the amount of S16 ribosomal polypeptide determined in step (c)(ii);
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8 and S17.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8, S17, S15.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8, S17, S15 and S20
 21. The method of claim 16 wherein the S16 ribosomal polypeptide is labelled
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises a radiolabel
 23. The method of claim 16 wherein S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises an amino acid tag.
 24. The method of claim 16 wherein wherein S16 ribosomal polypeptide comprises comprises a biotin molecule
 25. The method of claim 16 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA is labeled
 26. The method of claim 16 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA comprises a radiolabel
 27. The method of claim 16 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA comprises a biotin molecule
 28. The method of claim 16 wherein wherein S16 ribosomal polypeptide is attached to a solid support.
 29. The method of claim 16 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA is attached to a solid support
 30. A method for testing for inhibitors of ribosomal assembly comprising the steps of: a.) contacting at least one direct binding ribosomal polypeptide selected from the group consisting of S4, S7, S8, S15, S17 and S20 with 16S ribosomal RNA to form a polyribonucleotide protein complex and; b) contacting said polyribonucleotide protein complex with at least one non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide selected from the group consisting of S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S16, S18, S19, and S21. (iii) in the presence of a test agent; and (iv) in the absence of said test agent; and c) determining the amount of at least one non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide bound to the RNA (i) in the presence of a test agent; and (ii) in the absence of said test agent; and d) comparing the amount of least one non direct binding ribosomal polypeptide in step (c)(i) to the amount of non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide protein determined in step (c)(ii);
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8 and S17.
 33. The method of claim 30 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8, S17, S15.
 34. The method of claim 30 wherein the direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S4, S7, S8, S17, S15 and S20
 35. The method of claim 30 wherein the non-direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S16
 36. The method of claim 30 wherein the non-direct binding ribosomal proteins comprise S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19
 37. The method of claim 30 wherein said direct binding or non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide is labeled
 38. The method of claim 30 wherein said direct binding or non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide comprises a radiolabel
 39. The method of claim 30 wherein said direct binding or non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide comprises an amino acid tag.
 40. The method of claim 30 wherein said said direct binding or non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide comprises a biotin molecule
 41. The method of claim 30 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA is labeled
 42. The method of claim 30 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA comprises a radiolabel
 43. The method of claim 30 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA comprises a biotin molecule
 44. The method of claim 30 wherein said direct binding or non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide is attached to a solid support.
 45. The method of claim 30 wherein said 16S ribosomal RNA is attached to a solid support
 46. A method for testing for inhibitors of ribosomal assembly comprising the steps of: a.) contacting S4, S7, S8, S17 and S20 ribosomal polypeptides with 16S ribosomal RNA to form apolyribonucleotide protein complex and; b) contacting said polyribonucleotide protein complex with non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptides S3, S5, S9, S10, S12, S14, S16 and S19 to form a resultant polyribonucleotide protein complex (v) in the presence of a test agent; and (vi) in the absence of said test agent; and b) contacting non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide S3 with said resultant polyribonucleotide protein complex; and c) determining the amount of said non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide S3 bound to said resultant polyribonucleotide protein complex; (i) formed in the presence of said test agent; and (ii) formed in the absence of said test agent; and e) comparing the amount of S3 determined in step (c)(i) to the amount of S3 determined in step (c)(ii)
 47. The method of claim 46 wherein said non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide S3 is labeled.
 48. The method of claim 47 wherein said non-direct binding ribosomal polypeptide S3 is radiolabeled 